i^- 


? 


,^A 


"  Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the 
death   of  his  saints." 


inrnt  of  Wm^ 


m 


Born,  February  il,  i8io. 
Died,  March  i6,  1880. 


/vvlX^ 


i< 


Printed  kv  E.  H.  Welburn, 

129  Main  Street,      Louisville,  Kv. 

1881. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1881,  by 

Drummond   Welburn, 

in  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  Washington. 


Q75 


^ 


air. 


HE,  BEING   DEAD,  YET  SPEAKETH." 


WHE  name  of  William  Kendrick,  loved 
and  honored  by  thousands,  is  the  only 
proper  introduction  to  this  brief  biography. 
From  pious  parents  he  inherited  a  heahhy 
body,  a  handsome  person,  a  sound  mind, 
and  the  blessed  guardianship  of  a  covenant- 
keeping  Savior  and  God.  They  taught  him 
Christian  principles,  industrious  habits,  and 
the  manners  of  a  oentleman. 

His  father,  Walter  Kendrick,  was  born 
at  Sandon,  near  Stone,  in  Staffordshire, 
England,  on  the  i6th  of  September,  1765. 
His  mother,  Nancy  Fielding,  was  born 
near  Manchester,  on  the  i6th  of  July, 
1 769.      Both   of   them  were  devout   mem- 

a09140 


MEMOIR    OF 


bers  of  the  Church  of  England.  They 
were  married  at  Oldham,  near  Manchester, 
in  1795,  where  their  first  child  was  born  on 
the  2d  of  September,  1796.  Soon  after 
marriage  they  determined  to  seek  a  home 
in  America.  He  arrived  in  the  City  of 
New  York  on  the  4th  of  April,  1 796,  and 
some  time  afterward  wrote  the  foUowingf 
hopeful  letter  to  his  waiting  wife  : 

'■'■  To  Mrs.  Kendrkk,  Oldham,  near  Manchester : 

Dear  Wife  : — I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  of 
my  safe  arrival  in  New  York,  after  a  passage  of 
twenty-eight  days,  and  have  now  got  quite  fixed  in  a 
very  good  stand  for  business,  with  a  very  handsome 
shop,  and  have  a  prospect  of  doing  a  great  deal  of 
business,  wholesale  and  retail.  I  have  the  neatest 
hat  shop  in  the  city  and  the  newest  fashions  from 
London." 

How  many  months  of  saddening  sep- 
aration were  endured  before  the  indus- 
trious tradesman  had  the  happiness  of 
welcoming  his  wife  and  child  to  an  Amer- 
ican home  we  know  not.  Nor  can  we  tell 
of  rapturous  joy  in  reunited  loving  hearts 
when  no  longer  separated  by  the  rolling 
waves  of   ocean.     The    patient    labors  of 


WILLIAM    KEN D  KICK. 


the  youthful  emigrants  in  business  place 
and  home  are  unrecorded.  The  thousand 
thoughtful  ministrations  of  time-tested 
love,  which  made  that  home  a  heaven  of 
delights  can  not  be  depicted.  What  happy 
associations  were  enjoyed  with  new  found 
friends,  or  what  tender  memories  of  earlier 
years  were  awakened  by  the  solemn  ser- 
vices of  Old  Trinity  Church  must  be  left 
to  the  reader's  imao^ination. 

The  children  of  Walter  and  Nancy 
Fielding  Kendrick  were  Mary  Ann,  born 
in  Oldham,  England,  September  2d,  1796  ; 
Nancy,  born  in  New  York,  April  4th, 
1801  ;  Walter,  born  in  New  York,  January 
30th,  1805;  Margaret,  born  in  Newark, 
New  Jersey,  November  17th,  1807;  and 
William,  born  in  Patterson,  New  Jersey, 
F'ebruary  iith,  1810.  They  were  all  bap- 
tized in  infancy — Mary  Ann,  at  Oldham, 
in  the  Church  of  England  ;  Nancy  and 
Walter  at  New  York,  and  Margaret  and 
William  at  Newark,  New  Jersey  in  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 

Mary  Ann  never  married.     She  died  in 


MEMOIR  OF 


New  York,  on  the  1 7th  of  September, 
1823.  Walter  remained  unmarried.  He 
died  in  Louisville  of  cholera  in  1833. 
Nancy  was  married  in  New  York  to  Mr. 
John  iNI.  Reed,  with  whom  she  lived 
happily  many  years.  She  died  in  Louis- 
ville on  the  loth  of  April,  1877.  She  was 
the  pious,  honored  mother  of  Mrs.  Mary 
A.  Caspari.  Mrs.  Caroline  G.  Stancliffe, 
Mrs.  Glorianna  M.  Drysdale,  Mrs.  Eveline 
F.  Talbot,  Mrs.  Margaret  K.  Meeker, 
Mrs.  Lavinia  M.  Fulton,  Mr.  Richard  D. 
Reed  and  Mr.  William  K.  Reed.  Mar- 
garet was  married  to  Mr.W^illiam  Kaye  on 
the  10th  of  November,  1825.  She  also 
was  blessed  with  a  numerous  family  —  A^u- 
gustus  W.,  Francis  J.,  Charles,  William  H. 
and  Louis  F.  Kaye,  and  Emily  D.,  now  Mrs. 
Dr.  Porter,  and  Katie,  now  Mrs.  Fosdick. 
Mrs.  Kaye  still  lives  in  happy  old  age, 
revered  and  loved  bv  children,  and  chil- 
dren's  children.  If  the  limits  of  this  volume 
permitted,  it  would  be  an  agreeable  task  to 
trace  further  the  varying  fortunes  of  the 
worth)-  kindred  of  our  departed  friend. 


WILLIAM  KENDRICK. 


On  the  23cl  of  September,  1813,  the 
death  angel  darkened  the  dweHing  of 
Walter  Kendrick.  His  beloved  wife  was 
taken  to  a  better  world  in  the  forty-fourth 
year  of  her  age.  The  pangs  of  a  hus- 
band's bereaved  heart,  when  death  tears  a 
beloved  wife  from  his  embraces,  and  the 
gloom  that  gathers  around  motherless 
children  when  the  lis^ht  of  home  is  extin- 
guished  by  the  expiring  breath  of  the  one 
that  loved  them  best,  language  has  never 
yet  successfully  portrayed.  But  faith  and 
hope  and  love  remained  to  cheer  the  deso- 
lation and  encourage  the  sorrow  stricken. 

The  family  have  cherished  memories 
and  sacred  traditions  of  those  sorrowful 
da)s,  when  a  father's  care  and  fortitude  re- 
mained, while  the  older  children  watched 
over  the  younger  with  tender  solicitude, 
and  the  little  ones  cheerfully  accepted  their 
lovinp;  rule. 

For  several  years  Walter  Kendrick  was 
very  prosperous  and  successful  jn  New- 
Jersey,  but  securityships,  and  the  unfaith- 
fulness of  a  foreman  of  his  factorv  invol- 


8 


MEMOIR    OF 


ved  him  in  financial  embarrassment.  In 
1818  he  removed  to  the  city  of  Louisville, 
where,  on  the  2d  of  April,  1 8 1 9,  he  was  hap- 
pily married  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  McMullin. 
Some  time  after  this  his  attention  was 
turned  to  the  contract  made  with  Stephen 
Austin  by  the  new  nation  of  Mexico.  By 
the  terms  of  this  contract  Mr.  Austin  and 
his  associates  were  to  establish  civilized 
settlements  in  the  wilds  of  Texas.  To 
remunerate  the  colonists  for  their  risks  and 
toils,  Mexico  was  to  guarantee  to  them  the 
enjoyment  of  civil  and  religious  liberty, 
and  the  peaceable  possession  ot  countless 
leagues  of  land.  Attracted  by  these  allur- 
ing prospects,  Walter  Kendrick  and  his 
oldest  son  went  to  this  western  land  of 
promise,  doubtless  expecting  to  open  up 
and  secure  as  a  permanent  possession 
richer  and  more  extensive  domains  than 
William  the  Conqueror  had  ever  given  to 
the  most  favored  of  his  Norn;an  followers. 
These  pages  have  nothing  to  say  of 
Mexican  bad  faith  or  of  Mexican  revolu- 
tions,   of  Texan    battles,  defeats,    or  vie- 


WILLIAM  KENDRICK. 


tories ;  nor  yet  of  the  failure  of  Texas  to 
secure  the  landed  rights  of  her  first  ad- 
venturous patriots.  Possibly,  such  a  claim 
as  that  of  the  Kendricks,  if  presented  to 
the  Legislature  of  that  noble  State,  might 
even  at  this  late  date  be  acknowledo-ed. 
honored  and  satisfied. 

Walter  Kendrick  did  not  live  to  fioht 
at  San  Jacinto,  or  to  aid  in  annexing  the 
young  republic  to  the  United  States.  But 
in  Texas,  he  died  for  Texas,  and  in  sacri- 
ficing himself  he  gave  to  Texas  all  of 
human  support  upon  which  a  young  fam- 
ily depended  ;  yet  the  heirs  of  Walter 
Kendrick  have  not  inherited  a  sinele 
foot  of  the  vast  domain  which  he  helped 
to  secure  for  his  longer  lived  compa- 
triots. Walter  Kendrick  died  of  the 
malarious  fever  of  the  country  on  the  17th 
of  September,  1822.  Ten  days  before  the 
death  of  her  husband  in  Texas^Mrs.  Eliz- 
abeth Kendrick  died  in  Louisville,  Ky., 
leaving  the  subject  of  our  brief  sketch  in 
poverty-stricken — 


lO  MEMOIR    OF 


Drpttanacte. 


The  deaths  of  Walter  Kendrick  and  his 
wife  left  the  hero  of  our  story  and  his 
vouno-  sister  Maroaret  anionic  strano-ers 
and  in  straitened  circumstances.  Their 
very  few  surviving  relatives  were  in  New 
York,  and,  though  full  of  love  and  sym- 
pathy, were  not  burdened  with  worldly 
wealth.  But  the  Father  of  the  fatherless 
was  not  unmindful  ot  the  orphans.  While 
contemplating  a  return  to  the  East,  Mar- 
garet, though  but  fifteen  years  old,  became 
the  heroine  of  a  most  unexpected  romance. 

The  second  Mrs.  Kendrick  was  a  con- 
nection of  an  excellent  family  named  Sale, 
long  and  favorably  known  in  Louisville. 
The  Sales  were  intimate  with  the  family  of 
the  late  Coleman  Daniel,  whose  wife  was 
a  sister  of  Mrs.  William  Reed,  Mrs.  John 
G.  Schwing,  and  of  several  gentlemen 
named  Kaye.  One  of  these  gentlemen 
Mr.  William  Kaye,  had  met  the  young  or- 
phan at  the  house  of  his  sister,  and  had 


WILLIAM   KENDRICK. 


I  I 


taken  a  more  than  benevolent,  or  chivalric 

inlierest  in  her  welfare.  He  was  unwilline 
to  see  Louisville  lose,  and  New  York  gain 
so  lovely  a  citizen.  He  bees'ed  her  to 
stay,  and  offering  her  his  hand  and  heart, 
was  accepted.  On  the  loth  day  of  Nov- 
ember, 1825,  she  became  the  wife  of  Mr. 
Kaye. 

Before  the  decision  of  Margaret  was 
known,  and  while  the  orphan  boy  was  in 
uncertainty  with  reference  to  his  future 
home,  his  lot  was  also  determined  in  an 
unexpected  way.  While  he  was  standing 
on  the  side-walk  one  day,  he  was  startled 
by  the  voice  of  a  man  who  with  tremulous 
tones,  and  tearful  eyes,  said  "  My  son  will 
you  go  home  with  me,  and  live  with  me, 
and  be  my  boy?"  The  lad  unhesitatingly 
replied  "Yes  sir,  I  will."  Having  learned 
his  name,  and  history,  the  gentleman  took 
him  to  his  plentiful  home,  to  occupy  the 
place  in  home  and  heart,  recently  made 
vacant  by  the  lamented  death  of  a  beloved 
son  between  whom,  and  William,  he  fancied 
he  saw  a  striking  resemblance. 


12 


MEMOIR    OF 


This  gentleman,  long  known  and  honor- 
ed in  Jefferson  county,  was  the  owner  of 
a  farm,  and  tan  yard,  about  six  miles  below 
Louisville,  on  the  Salt  River  road.  To  the 
praise  of  both,  be  it  said,  the  sympathy, 
confidence,  and  love,  so  suddenly  and  un- 
expectedly called  into  exercise  between  the 
orphan,  and  his  friend,  continued  to  grow 
and  strengthen  through  life.  The  charm 
still  binds  the  descendents  of  each  to  the 
other  in  uninterrupted  friendship.  A  life 
size  portrait  of  Mr.  Jones,  has  had  its 
place  of  honor  in  Mr.  Kendrick's  parlor, 
more  than  40  years.  At  the  house  of  Mr. 
Jones,  young  Kendrick  found  an  agreeable 
companion  in  the  person  of  his  friend's  son, 
Daniel. 

In  a  larger  volume  the  farm,  the  tan 
yard,  the  way  side  school  house,  the  coun- 
try church,  country  sports,  hunting,  fishing, 
skating,  swimming,  and  visiting  in  town 
and  country,  might  each  demand  a  sepa- 
rate chapter.  But  even  in  this  brief  record 
we  must  not  fail  to  notice  the  pious  coun- 
sels, songs,  prayers  and  tears,  with  which 


WILLIAM  KEN D RICK. 


13 


the  excellent  Mrs,  Jane  Shively  tried  not 
in  vain,  to  turn  the  orphan's  heart  to  Christ 
his  Savior. 

As  time  rolled  on  the  boys  mastered 
the  lessons  taught  in  the  neighborhood 
school,  and  Mr.  Jones  determined  to  send 
Daniel  to  the  college  at  Bardstown,  that 
he  might  receive  a  classical  education. 
Though  the  orphan  boy  had  no  funds  to 
pay  for  tuition  and  board,  and  his  friend 
could  not  afford  to  extend  his  own  liberal- 
ity so  far,  the  old  gentleman  was  very 
desirous  that  William  should  continue  to 
be  the  constant  companion  of  Daniel.  He 
also  indulged  the  hope  that  William  would 
derive  important  advantages  from  his  as- 
sociations with  men  of  learning-  in  Bards- 
town.  It  was  therefore  understood  that 
William  would  seek  employment  in  the 
town,  and  while  earning  his  own  living, 
and  enjoying  the  company  of  Daniel, 
would  use  due  diligence  in  the  cultivation 
of  his  intellect.  It  was  hard  to  find  busi- 
ness for  a  boy  of  fourteen,  yet  such  was 
the  anxiety  of  the  lad  to  please  his  bene- 


MEMOIR  OF 


H 


factor,  that  findiiiP"  nothingf  else  to  do  he 
undertook  to  work  for  a  village  inn-keeper. 
Here  he  soon  learned  that  he  must  either 
give  up  his  business  or  spend  much  of  his 
time  behind  his  employer's  bar. 

Honorable  men  may  entertain  varying 
opinions  with  reference  to  the  traffic  in 
intoxicating  drinks,  but  it  will  not  astonish 
any  person  who  knew  William  Kendrick  to 
learn  that  he  instinctively  shrunk  with 
loathings  and  horror,  from  the  scenes  and 
associations  of  life  in  a  bar  room.  No 
attachment  to  his  young  friend,  nor  rever- 
ence for  his  foster  father,  could  reconcile 
him  to  a  business  that  seemed  to  him  so 
destructive  of  human  happiness  and  human 
life.  Though  forty  miles  from  home,  he 
set  out  on  foot  to  flee  from  scenes  and 
pursuits  that  his  soul  abhorred.  On  that 
tedious  journey  he  missed  the  direct  route, 
and  for  some  time  was  bewildered  and 
lost ;  but  even  under  these  trying  circum- 
stances, his  gentlemanly  manners,  and 
agreeable  person,  gained  friends  for  the 
strano-er. 


// 'ILLIAM  KEXDRICK. 


15 


Shortly  after  his  arrival  at  home,  Mr. 
Jones  in  a  fatherly  conversation  called  his 
attention  to  the  importance  of  engaging 
in  some  regular  business  for  life.  Assured 
him  that  though  he  was  more  than  welcome 
at  home,  it  was  better  for  him  to  secure 
permanent  employment  in  the  city.  A 
place  was  soon  found  in  the  store  of  Mr. 
C,  and  William  cheerfully  entered  upon 
the  career  of  a  merchant's  clerk.  For  some 
time  nothing  occured  to  interrupt  the  usual 
course  of  mercantile  life.  The  faithful 
clerk,  the  appreciative  employer,  and  the 
satisfied  customers  had  no  complaints  to 
make  against  each  other.  The  fourth  of 
July,  observed  as  a  holiday  by  nearly  all 
the  inhabitants  of  the  little  city,  brought 
with  it  the  usual  lack  of  business,  and  su- 
perabundance of  noise  and  sport,  but  Mr. 
C.  was  out  of  town.  As  the  holiday  hours 
passed  neighbors  began  to  visit  the  idle, 
solitary  clerk,  to  learn  why  he  did  not  im- 
itate others ;  close  the  store  and  enjoy 
himself.  Toward  noon  the  not-unwilling 
youth,   yielded  to  the   solicitation    of    his 


1 6  MEMOIR  OF 


neighbors,  locked  up  the  business  place, 
and  joined  the  merry-makers.  When  he 
next  met  the  merchant,  the  clerk  was 
sharply  reprimanded,  and  was  told  that  his 
services  were  no  longer  desired,  and  he 
might  seek  other  employment.  This  was 
on  the  5th  of  July,  1824.  Not  far  away 
was  the  jewelry  store  of  Mr.  E.  C.  Beard. 
William  called  to  see  that  gentleman,  told 
him  of  the  displeasure  of  Mr.  C,  the  con- 
sequent loss  of  his  clerkship,  and  asked 
Mr.  Beard  to  accept  his  services,  and  teach 
him  his  trade.  The  high  opinion  Mr. 
Beard  had  previously  formed  of  the  lad,  to- 
gether with  his  frank  statement  of  the 
facts  connected  with  his  discharge  from  the 
service  of  Mr.  C,  opened  up  at  once  to  our 
orphan  the  beginning  of  the  most  remark- 
able business  career  Louisville  has  ever 
known. 

While  with  Mr.  Beard  he  still  indulged 
the  most  ardent  affection  and  grateful 
esteem  for  his  fast"  friends  at  the  tan  yard 
and  the  farm,  and  frequently  paid  them 
brief,  happy  visits.    They  never  forgot  that 


;/  'I  LI. I  AM  KEXDRICK. 


the  jeweler's  boy  belonged  to  their  own 
family  circle.  What  new  associations  and 
friendships  he  enjoyed  in  his  new  home  ; 
what  snares  his  youthful  feet  escaped ; 
what  temptations  he  overcame  ;  what  trials 
he  endured  ;  what  evil  company  he  avoided ; 
what  helps  to  virtue  were  his  ;  we  cannot 
here  record.  Imagination  may  follow  him 
from  day  to  day  as  he  perfected  himseli  in 
the  knowledge  and  practice  of  his  art,  grew 
in  -stature,  increased  in  wisdom  and  im- 
proved in  manners  while  passing  through 
youth  to — 

Uttitl^oiil. 

The  instruction  received  in  infancy  and 
childhood,  had  so  pre-occupied  his  mind 
with  religious  truth,  as  to  save  him  from 
the  contamination  of  skeptical  principles, 
and  the  disgraceful  degradation  of  a 
vicious  life.  His  opinions  were  orthodox, 
his  conduct  upright,  his  reputation  untar- 
nished, his  conscience  tender,  his  manners 
gentle,  and  he  possessed  a  manly  beauty  of 
form,  of  features,  and  of  expression,  rarely 


l8  MEMOIR    OF 


equaled.  Thus  In  his  eighteenth  year,  one 
of  the  most  fascinating  of  un-regenerate 
men,  he  entered  the  Old  Methodist  Church, 
on  the  east  side  of  Fourth  Street,  at  the 
South  side  of  the  alley,  between  Jefferson 
and  Market  Streets.  Rev.  Peter  Akers 
was  pastor  of  the  congregation,  but  on 
that  night  Rev.  H.  H.  Kavanaugh,  (  now 
Bishop  Kavanaugh,)  occupied  the  pulpit. 
The  word  of  God  as  preached  by  the  ear- 
nest minister,  and  applied  by  the  Divine 
Spirit,  roused  his  conscience,  and  excited  it 
to  the  most  intense  activity.  He  not  only 
perceived  that  by  hereditary  depravity  the 
fallen  human  race  is  "Very  far  gone  from 
oriofinal  rig-hteousness,  and  of  our  own 
nature  inclined  to  evil,  and  only  evil ;  and 
that  continually :"  but  this  comprehensive 
truth  seemed  full  of  personal  significance, 
involving  his  own  present  peace,  and  his 
eternal  destiny.  He  discovered  the  ex- 
ceeding sinfulness  of  sin,  and  his  own 
personal  sinfulness  in  the  sight  of  God. 
He  saw  his  own  lack  of  conformity  to  the 
Divine  will.     Neglected  duties,  voluntary 


WILLIAM   KEN D RICK.  19 

transgressions,  sins  of  thought,  word,  and 
action,  sins  of  childhood,  youth,  and  man- 
hood, sins  against  law,  against  justice, 
against  mercy,  all  seemed  calling  down  the 
wrath  of  God  upon  his  guilty,  wretched 
soul.  Even  the  covenanted  mercies  of 
God,  to  which  pious  parents  had  trustfully 
committed  him  in  infancy,  seemed  to  in- 
crease his  condemnation.  Had  he  not  too 
often  forgotten  that  consecratincr  covenant, 
and  turned  to  his  own  evil  ways  ?  Had  not 
his  sins  defied,  insulted,  grieved, the  Father, 
the  Son,  the  Holy  Ghost  ?  The  Triune 
God  seemed  bound  by  every  attribute 
Divine,  to  execute  the  sentence  "The  soul 
that  sinneth  it  shall  die."  "  Banishment 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and  from 
the  glory  of  His  power,"  appeared  to  be 
the  sinner's  inevitable  doom. 

But  the  faithful  preacher  had  words  of 
life  and  salvation  for  the  sorrowing  peni- 
tent. He  told  him  of  a  Savior,  and  said 
''  The  Lord  hath  laid  on  him,  the  iniquity 
of  us  all;"  that  he  "Suffered  for  us;" 
"Shed  his  blood  for  us;"    "Died  for  us;" 


20  MEMOIR  OF 


"Made  his  soul  an  offering  for  our  sins;" 
"gave  himself  for  us,  that  he  might  redeem 
us  from  all  iniquity;"  "Died  for  our  sins, 
and  rose  again  for  our  justification ; " 
"Whom  God  hath  set  forth  to  be  a  propiti- 
ation through  faith  in  his  blood,  to  declare 
his  righteousness  for  the  remission  of  sins 
that  are  past,  that  he  might  be  just  and  the 
justifier  of  him  which  believeth  in  Jesus." 

The  young  man  perceived  that  with 
infinite  compassion,  and  infinite  wisdom,  the 
very  God  against  whom  he  had  sinned  had 
provided  for  the  forgiveness  of  sin,  and  the 
present  and  eternal  salvation  of  the  peni- 
tent believincr  sinner.  And  this  without 
any  violation  of  the  Divine  justice,  or  any 
infringement  upon  immutable  law.  Yea 
that  the  highest  glory  of  the  Infinite  Jeho- 
vah is  seen  and  celebrated  in  the  salvation 
of  those  who  with  the  help  of  His  Divine 
Spirit,  believe  on  His  Divine  Son,  with  the 
heart  unto  righteousness. 

William  Kendrick  did  then  believe  with 
all  his  heart,  and  realized  that  "Being 
justified  by  faith,  we  have  peace  with  God 


WILLIAM  KEN D RICK.  o  \ 


through  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ:  by  whom 
also  we  have  access  by  faith,  into  this 
grace  wherein  we  stand  and  rejoice  in  hope 
of  the  glory  of  God."  "Believing  on  the 
name  of  Jesus,  he  received  power  to  be- 
come a  Son  ot  God,  being  born  not  of 
blood,  nor  of  the  will  of  the  flesh,  nor  of 
the  will  of  man,  but  of  God."  He  could 
say  from  a  blessed  experience  "We  have 
not  received  the  spirit  of  bondage,  again 
to  fear  but  we  have  received  the  Spirit  of 
adoption  whereby  we  cry  Abba  Father. 
The  Spirit,  itself,  beareth  witness  with  our 
spirit,  that  we  are  the  children  of  God,  and 
if  children,  then  heirs,  heirs  of  God,  and 
joint  heirs  with  Christ  Jesus." 

This  satisfactory,  joyous,  personal  expe- 
rience of  a  real,  a  felt  salvation,  by  faith,  in 
a  present  Christ,  shed  its  radiance  on  all 
his  subsequent  life.  Henceforth  he  trav- 
eled in  the  glorious  light  of  his  Father's 
smile,  toward  his  Father's  house  above. 
This  instantaneous  salvation  b)  grace, 
through  faith  was  the  beginning  of  a  higher, 
holier  life,  a  life  by  faith  in  the  Son  of  God, 


2  2  MEMOIR    OF 


and  under  the  felt  guidance  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  It  is  a  fact  that  must  be  emphasized, 
and  remembered,  or  we  can  have  no  proper 
key  to  the  character  and  conduct  of  one 
who  has  been  so  much  admired,  and  so 
little  imitated. 

The  spiritual  sunshine  in  which  the  justi- 
fied, and  regenerated  youth  lived,  had  for  a 
time  one  dark  shadow  to  obscure  its  bright- 
ness—  the  possible  displeasure  ot  his  bene- 
factor, Mr.  Jones,  The  old  gentleman  with 
all  his  kindly  human  sympathy,  and  all  the 
exhuberant  wealth  of  affection  which  he 
lavished  on  his  loved  ones,  had  never  given 
his  heart  to  Christ ;  was  a  neglecter  of  the 
great  salvation  :  and  there  were  reasons  for 
doubting  whether  he  would  approve  of  what 
his  young  friend  deemed  a  sacred  duty. 

William  though  properly  comprehending 
the  infinitely  superior  claims  of  his  Saviour, 
and  strongly  attracted  by  love  for  the  people 
of  God, dreaded  the  displeasure  of  his  friend. 
What  if  the  authority  of  the  Highest  should 
require  him  to  disobey  the  commands  of  his 
earthly  benefactor?     What  if  union  with  the 


WILLIAM    KEXDRICK.  23 

people  of  God  should  separate  him  from 
one  whom  he  loved  with  more  than  the  af- 
fection of  a  son  for  his  father?  Conscience 
would  not  permit  him  long"  to  hesitate. 
He  sought  the  earliest  possible  opportunity 
to  visit  his  old  home,  on  this  important  busi- 
ness. With  conflicting  hopes  and  fears,  he 
walked  six  miles  to  see  his  old  friend.  He 
told  Mr.  Jones  as  best  he  could,  what  great 
things  had  been  done  for  him,  in  the  salva- 
tion of  his  soul,  and  feelingly  expressed  the 
hope  that  his  purpose  to  unite  with  the 
church  would  meet  the  approbation  ot  his 
benefactor.  The  old  gentleman  not  onl\' 
banished  his  fears  of  opposition,  but  filled 
his  heart  with  gladness,  by  commending  his 
course,  and  encouraging  hini  to  be  faithful 
in  the  discharge  of  every  religious  duty. 
His  walk  back  to  the  cit)'  was  a  triumphal 
march,  with  a  glorious  crown  of  eternal  life 
in  full  view.  He  was  heartily  welcomed 
into  the  communion  of  the  faithful,  and  as  if 
to  make  his  cup  overflow  with  blessings,  the 
minister  who  had  called  him  to  repentance, 
was  at  the  ensuing  Annual  Conference,  ap- 


24 


MEMOIR   OF 


pointed  to  the  pastorship  of  the  church. 

The  next  four  years  of  Mr.  Kendrick's 
life  were  full  of  important  events,  and  strik- 
ingly exemplify  the  rapid  progress  often 
made  by  self-dependent  men.  It  was 
between  his  eighteenth  and  twenty-second 
year,  that  those  religious  associations  began 
which  made  him  for  fifty-two  years,  a  pillar 
in  the  church,  and  connected  him  with  the 
oreat  ecclesiastical  movements  ot  the  cen- 
tury.  It  was  during  these  four  years  he 
took  the  honorable  place  he  so  long  occu- 
pied in  the  Masonic  fraternity.  That  he 
formed  two  business  partnerships,  and 
became  prominent  among  the  commercial 
men  of  Louisville.  That  he  became  favor- 
ably known  among  the  most  successful 
business  men  of  the  eastern  cities.  That 
he  was  heartily  welcomed  into  the  most 
refined  and  respectable  circles  of  society, 
and  most  important  of  all  it  was  in  these 
four  years  that  he  sought  and  found  "Do- 
mestic happiness,  that  only  bliss  of  paradise 
that  has  survived  the  fall."      He  became — 


WILLIAM  KENDRICK.  25 


^m\^  "WM^ 


At  a  wedding  the  polite  boy  of  fourteen, 
met  a  blushing  nine  year  old  girl,  first  of  a 
beauteous  band  of  six  lovely  sisters.  She 
was  the  daughter  of  Mr.  John  G.  Schwing, 
and  as  her  mother  was  the  sister  of  Mr. 
William  Kaye,  who  had  married  the  lad's 
sister  Margaret,  the  young  couple  frequently 
came  together  in  social  circles.  How  soon 
the  two  children  experienced  reciprocated 
affection,  or  at  what  time  timid  admiring 
glances  were  succeeded  by  the  loving, 
longing  looks  that  fascinate  youthful  souls, 
is  not  recorded.  Whether  vows  of  undying 
love  were  first  exchanged  in  the  'dim  reli- 
gious light"  of  the  old  Fourth  Street  church, 

or, 

"The  modest  loving  pair,  breathed  out  the 
tender  tale, 
Beneath  the  milk-white  thorn,  that  scents 
the  evening  gale," 

we  may  not  learn.     What  moonlight  strolls, 

or  pious   walks    to    consecrated  counts,   or 

ever    lencrthenine,    never   finished   talks   of 


26  MEMOIR  OF 


love  and  hope,  emparadised  the  passing 
hours,  cannot'  now  be  recalled  :  but  on  the 
19th  of  January,  1832,  William  Kendrick 
and  Maria  Stroup  Schwing,  were  happily 
married.  The  husband  was  less  than 
twenty-two  years  old,  the  wife  but  one 
month  over  seventeen. 

As  no  selfish  scheming,  nor  corrupt 
dreams  of  wanton  dalliance,  had  broucrht 
them  too^ether,  the  romantic  halo  that 
brightened  the  wedding  day  never  faded, 
the  honey-moon  never  waned.  It  is  not 
astonishing  that  an  english  poet  should  have 
imagined  that  the  wedded  bliss  of  Adaiii 
and  Eve  first  kindled  the  envy  of  Satan, 
That  the  highest  of  Arch  Angels  rebelled 
against  his  creator  for  withholding  such  bless- 
edness from  angels,  and  bestowing  it  on  his 
favorite  creature,  man.  The  madness  and 
misery  introduced  by  sin,  into  the  relations 
and  associations  of  the  sexes,  must  excite 
the  indignant  wonder  of  a  virtuous  universe. 
In  millions  of  horrid  habitations,  man  is 
seen  with  brutal  lust  and  fiendish  fury,  pol- 
luting,  blasting,   blighting  and    destroying 


I VI L  LI  AM  KEN D  RICK.  2  / 


all  the  ecstatic  deliohts,  which  heaven  has 
kindly  lavished  upon  the  loving  union  ot 
husband  and  wife.  What  a  libel  upon  the 
wisdom  and  goodness  of  God :  and  an 
outrage  upon  human  society  are  divorces, 
and  the  vile  degrading  practices  which  have 
made  them  necessary.  But  we  have  no 
space  for  moralizing. 

It  was  the  good  fortune  of  Mr.  Kendrick 
to  become  the  husband  of  a  pious  daughter 
of  a  most  exemplary  mother,  connected 
with  one  of  the  most  remarkable  families  of 
the  land.  Even  a  brief  sketch  of  such  a 
family  connection,  would  make  a  most  en- 
tertaining and  instructive  volume.  It  would 
offer  great  encouragement  to  struggling 
emigrants  and  throw  much  light  upon  the 
principles  of  political  and  domestic  economy. 
We  may  not  follow  them  from  the  shores  of 
Europe  to  all  the  honorable  positions  they 
have  from  time  to  time  occupied  in  ten 
states  of  our  union  ;  but  they  demand  even 
here  more  than  a  passing  notice,  because 
of  the  happy  influence  exerted  by  them 
over  the  subject  of  our  memoir. 


28  MEMOIR  OF 


The  parents  of  Mrs.  Kendrick's  mother 
were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Louis- 
ville. The  father  was  from  the  banks  of 
the  Rhine,  the  mother  a  Philadelphian,  of 
German  blood.  They  brought  with  them 
to  the  P^alls  of  the  Ohio,  the  bible  principles 
of  Martin  Luther,  the  patient  industry  so 
characteristic  of  the  German  people,  and 
one  daughter  born  to  them  in  the  city 
of  Philadelphia.  Without  wealth,  family 
influence,  rash  speculations,  or  political 
trickery,  they  soon  acquired  a  comfortable 
home,  and  were  able  to  erect  the  first  brick 
house  built  in  the  village.  For  many  years 
the  town  had  but  two  wells  of  water,  one  of 
which  was  kept  locked,  so  that  every  family 
but  one  drew  drinking  water  from  the  well 
of  Mr.  Kaye.  He  died  in  a  good  old  age, 
leaving  a  numerous  posterity  to  imitate  his 
example. 

The  father  of  Mrs.  Kendrick's  father, 
was  the  son  of  a  Strasburg  watch  maker, 
who  thought  more  of  his  French  citizenship 
than  he  did  of  his  German  blood.  In  his 
old  age  the  first  Napoleon  was  one  of  the 


IVIL  1. 1. 1  A/   K END  RICK. 


29 


idols  of  his  heart.  He  had  arrived  in 
America  a  little  before  the  revolutionary 
war,  and  heartily  united  with  the  patriot 
army  in  resisting  the  authority  of  George 
the  third.  Before  the  war  ended  his  health 
failed,  and  he  became  incapable  of  per- 
forming the  duties  of  a  soldier  in  the  field. 

While  strolling  in  search  of  health  and 
strength,  through  the  streets  of  Philadel- 
phia, he  heard  what  seemed  to  him  a  singing 
angel.  Entering  an  open  door  to  see 
if  she  was  as  sweet  as  her  song,  he 
discovered  a  beautiful  Philadelphia  german 
lass,  and  an  unmistakable  case  of  love  at 
first  sight.  The  hereditary  echoes  of  that 
musical  voice,  coming  from  the  lips  of  hun- 
dreds of  her  lovely  or  brave  descendants, 
have  entranced  delighted  husbands  and 
wives,  and  happified  dutiful  children,  in 
cottages  and  palaces  through  successive 
generations. 

The  worn  and  weary  soldier,  led  his 
singing  bride  to  a  humble  home  at  Wells- 
burg,  near  Wheeling,  in  Virginia;  where 
ten  children  were  born  to  them.      In  1801, 


30  MEMOIR    OF 


their  oldest  son,  (  Mrs.  Keiidrick's  father  ) 
having  become  a  carpenter,  built  a  boat  on 
which  the  whole  family  descendeti  the  Ohio 
to  the  falls. 

The  year  of  acclimation  in  the  sickly 
town  was  a  sore  trial  to  the  new  comers, 
but  there  was  always  one  son,  and  one 
daughter,  well  enough  to  work  for  and 
wait  on  the  suffering  sick  ones.  The  same 
principles  and  habits  that  had  made  the 
Kayes  independent  and  comfortable,  soon 
gave. the  Sch wings  all  things  necessary  for 
life  and  Godliness.  The  father,  of  Mrs. 
Kendrick  was  the  first  person  to  apply 
steam  to  machinery  in  Louisville.  As  a 
carpenter,  he  needed  a  saw  mill.  The 
people  persuaded  him  to  add  to  this  a  grist 
mill.  Soon  the  p^rindino;  so  increased  that 
the  sawing  ceased  ;  and  a  mill  that  could 
manufacture  fifty  barrels  of  flour  a  day, 
became  one  of  the  wonders  of  the  West. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  John  G.  Schwing 
and  Miss  Mary  Kaye,  was  largely  attended 
by  cheerful  merry  neighbors,  but  to  their 
great  consternation,   was    also  celebrated 


WILLIAM    KEN D KICK.  31 

In'  the  most  fearfully  violent  earthquake 
that  ever  shook  the  valley  of  the  Missis- 
sippi. It  not  only  made  the  people  tremble 
in  their  tremblino^  dwellincjs,  and  shudder 
by  the  rattling"  dishes  on  the  festive  board, 
but  actually  shook  down  the  bridal  bed  of 
the  newly  married  pair.  Yet  notwithstand- 
ing the  danger  aad  alarm,  quite  a  number 
of  the  wedding  guests  lived  to  participate 
in  the  festives  of  the  golden  wedding  of 
the  happy  couple,  fifty  years  afterwards. 

It  has  been  said  that  Mrs,  Kendrick's 
mother  was  a  most  extraordinary-  woman. 
In  strength,  and  clearness  of  intellect,  she 
had  few  superiors,  of  either  sex.  Her 
early  education  was  the  best  that  could  be 
obtained  in  Louisville  at  the  close  of  the 
last  century  and  opening  of  the  present, 
but  was  necessarily  limited  and  imperfect. 
The  care  of  a  very  large  family,  left  little 
time  for  systematic  reading,  but  she  never- 
theless acquired  and  retained  vast  stores 
of  information,  of  which  she  was  ever  able 
to  make  a  wise  use. 

The  connection  of  Mr.   Kendrick   with 


^2  MEMOIR    OF 

her  family  was  of  great  advantage  to  both. 
Her  long  experience  and  sound  judgment, 
made  her  a  wise  adviser  ;    and  his  steady, 
even    piety,   greatly   assisted    her    in    the 
religious  training  of  her  family.      Indeed 
from   the    time    of   his   marriage,    he    was 
almost  unconsciously  elevated  to  a  sort  of 
pious,     fraternal    guardianship    over    the 
younger  brothers  and  sisters  of  his  wife. 
This  grew  out  of  the   fact  that  it  was  not 
until  her  husband  was  sixty-two  years  old. 
that   Mrs.  Schwing  had  the  happiness  to 
see  him  take  any   interest  in  the  religious 
culture  of    his   children.      Loving,  honest, 
and  truthful,  as  he  was,  he  saw  no  necessity 
for  anxiety  about  their  spiritual  welfare,  or 
the  salvation  of  his  own  soul.      Decent  as 
was  his  demeanor,  and  steady  as  were  his 
habits,   neither  his  example,  nor  his  words, 
tended  to  the  promotion  of  piety.     But  the 
gentle  patient  wife,  and  the  exemplary  son- 
in-law,  though  paying  all  due   respect   to 
the  authority  of    a  father  over  his  house- 
hold, were  happily  successful  in  bringing 
one   after  another  of    the  children  to  the 


WILLIAM  KEN D RICK.  l^^. 


knowledge  of  salvation  by  the  remission 
of  sins ;  until  all  were  gathered  into  the 
fold  of  Christ,  And  at  last  they  saw  the 
family  circle  completed,  by  the  entrance  of 
the  husband  and  father  into  the  fellowship 
of  the  church  on  his  sixty-second  birthday. 
It  may  be  proper  in  this  connection  to 
make  brief  reference  to  Mr.  Kendrick's  — 


He  faithfully  served  in  almost  every  po- 
sition which  a  layman  may  occupy,  and 
always  with  credit  to  himself,  satisfaction 
to  those  who  appointed  him,  and  profit  to 
the  church.  As  a  manager  of  religious, 
and  charitable  institutions,  he  was  ever  in 
place,  attentive  to  duty,  cautious,  concilia- 
tory, generous.  As  a  trustee  of  church 
property,  keeping  it  in  order,  holding  the 
legal  title,  guarding  the  sacred  places 
against  profanation,  giving  wise  counsels, 
and  promoting  peace  among  brethren,  his 
services  were  invaluable.  Though  always 
burdened  with  business,   and  pressed  for 


34  MEMOIR    OF 


v) 


time,  he  neglected  none  of  the  duties  of  a 
lay  delegate  when  elected  to  membership 
in  Annual  and   District  Conferences. 

The  financial  officers  of  protestant 
churches  have  to  perform  duties  that  are 
peculiarly  trying  and  discouraging.  They 
have  to  stand  between  an  empty  treasury 
and  a  membership  that  is  under  no  legal 

obligation  to  have  it  replenished.  Among 
those  who  conscientiously  contribute  there 
is  a  standing  temptation  to  ask,  how  little 
will  suffice  for  church  expenses?  And  how 
little  of  that  little  will  self-respect,  public 
opinion,  and  conscience  permit  me  to  pay? 
This  naturally  results  from  the  lack  of  any 
established  standard  of  liberality.  From 
the  fact  that  no  stated  per  cent,  of  the  cap- 
ital, the  income,  or  the  expenditures  of 
church  members,  can  be  demanded  for 
church  purposes.  Scriptural  financial 
principles  were  wiser.  Abraham,  Moses 
and  Paul,  learned  and  taught  percentage. 
The  primitive  Christians  contributing  "Ac- 
cording as  the  Lord  had  blessed"  them; 
even  when  very  poor,  always  had  money 


WILLIAM    K END  RICK. 


35 


in  the  church  treasury  for  necessary  uses. 
On  that  plan  they  had  no  need  of  "  Sub- 
scriptions," "Assessments,"  ''Envelopes," 
"Pews,"  "Concerts,"  "Feasts"  or  "Shows." 
There  are  a  few  wealthy  ministers,  some 
very  rich  congregations,  and  a  very  few 
well  regulated  poor  congregations,  that 
save  financial  officers  from  the  ordinary 
troubles.  But  notwithstanding  the  exis- 
tence of  these  exceptional  cases,  the 
fact  remains,  that  deacons,  stewards  and 
other  collectors  of  church  moneys  are 
subjected  to  mortifications,  and  sacrifices, 
that  seldom  sweeten  their  tempers  or 
promote  their  piety.  Hence  many  grow 
weary  of  such  discouraging  toil,  resign 
their  offices,  or  withdraw  from  the  com- 
munion of  the  churches ;  while  many 
others  remain  in  office  but  become  dicta- 
torial, unamiable,  and  cross.  Still  the 
churches  find  many  who  never  grow  weary 
in  well  doing;  who  go  through  life  bearing 
the  burdens  of  others,  as  well  as  their  own, 
with  uncomplaining  cheerfulness. 

For  nearly  fifty  years,  William  Kendrick 


^6  MEMOIR  OF 


discharofed  the  duties  of  a  steward,  faith- 
fully,  efficiently,  lovingly.  However  rude 
others  might  be  he  was  always  polite. 
The  selfishness  of  others  might  grieve  him 
but  no  unkind  word  escaped  his  lips.  His 
fellow  laborers  might  complain  of  their 
illiberal  brethren,  and  resign  their  offices, 
but  he  continued  at  the  post  of  duty, 
patiently  training  to  better  practices,  gen- 
eration after  eeneration  of  church  members. 
Most  of  this  long  period  of  hard  service, 
he  was  recording  steward  of  the  station, 
and  secretary  of  the  leaders'  and  stewards' 
weekly  meeting.  Whenever  it  became 
his  duty  as  one  of  the  district  stewards,  to 
assist  in  determining  the  amount  of  a 
presiding  elder's  salary, and  in  apportioning 
it  amono-  the  stations  and  circuits  of  the 
district,  he  always  acted  generously.  He 
never  cherished  the  congregational  selfish- 
ness, which  has  sometimes  characterized 
and  disgraced  such  meetings. 

Early  in  the  religious  life  of  Mr.  Ken- 
drick,  he  was  appointed  a  class  leader. 
The  Class   Leadership  as  established    by 


WILLIAM  KENDRICK.  37 

Wesley,  combined  most  of  the  duties 
assigned  to  lay  elders  in  other  churches  : 
with  other  elements  of  usefulness  found  in 
no  other  church  office.  The  leader  was 
appointed  by  his  preacher  in  charge  to  a 
sort  of  sub-pastorate  over  ten  or  twelve 
persons  ;  (but  very  unwisely,  and  without 
any  change  in  the  law,  the  nimiber  in  a 
class  became  practically  indefinite,  until 
twent)-,  a  hundred,  or  the  whole  church, 
claimed  the  care  of  a  single  leader,  or  of 
no  leader. )  The  leader  met  the  members 
of  his  class  once  a  week,  to  read  the  script- 
ures, sing,  pray ;  to  learn  their  religious 
experience  and  progress,  to  give  scriptural 
advice,  and  to  receive  from  them  the  monev 
they  were  willing  to  contribute  for  the 
relief  of  the  church,  the  poor,  and  the 
preachers.  He  had  also  a  much  more 
important  duty  to  perform,  in  the  constant 
oversight,  and  religious  watch-care,  which 
he  was  required  to  exercise  over  the  mem- 
bers of  his  class.  It  would  be  difficult  to 
over-estimate  the  conservative  power  of 
such  a  guardianship  over  the  ignorant,  the 


38  MEMOIR   OF 


young,  the  unstable,  the  tempted,  and  the 
discouraged.  The  advantages  thus  accru- 
ing to  the  leader,  and  the  most  pious 
members  of  his  class  in  the  cultivation  of 
their  own  graces  arud  gifts,  eternity  alone 
can  reveal.  It  was  through  the  leader,  and 
in  the  class  meeting  that  the  men  of  loftiest 
intellect,  along  with  their  less  gifted  breth- 
ren had  to  obtain  their  first  recommendation 
for  license  to  preach.  The  Quarterly  Con- 
ference of  which  the  leader  was  a  member, 
was  the  only  church  court  having  authority 
to  grant  the  license ;  and  without  its 
recommendation  no  preacher  could  be 
received  on  trial  by  an  Annual  Conference. 
It  was  also  a  court  of  appeals  for  laymen, 
and  of  original '  jurisdiction  over  local 
ministers.  The  leader  was  required  to 
meet  his  pastor,  and  the  stewards,  once  a 
week  in  the  "Leader's  Meeting,"  improper- 
ly called  "The  Official  Board."  At  this 
meeting  he  paid  to  the  stewards  the  money 
received  the  preceding  week,  and  reported 
to  his  pastor  the  sick,  the  needy,  and  any 
who   "Walk  disorderly    and   will    not    be 


IV/L  LI  AM    KEN  PRICK. 


.39 


reproved."  In  this  reference  to  the  leader- 
ship as  instituted  by  Wesley,  and  establish- 
ed by  early  General  Conferences,  the  past 
tense  is  used  because  it  has  unhappily 
ceased  to  exist  in  many  Methodist  church- 
es,and  in  all  of  them  its  glory  has  departed. 

Whether  this  lamented  deterioration  of 
a  most  valuable  means  of  orace  has  been 
caused  by  the  progress  of  civilization  and 
refinenient,  the  pressure  of  other  church 
work,  the  influence  of  other  denominations, 
the  lack  of  efficient  leaders,  or  to  the  loss 
of  religious  zeal,  and  the  decay  of  vital 
godliness,  may  be  discussed  by  others 
elsewhere. 

As  a  leader,  William  Kendrick  was, 
through  a  long  busy  life,  eminently  suc- 
cessful. Hundredsjof  families  in  Louisville 
from  time  to  time  connected  with  his  class, 
became  more  attached  to  him  than  to  any, 
or  all  of  their  pastors.  When  misfortunes 
overtook  them,  when  disease  invaded  their 
dwellings,  when  bereavement  saddened 
their  hearts,  or  death  threatened  them,  his 
was  the  first  name  they  uttered.      He  has- 


40 


MEMOIR    OF 


tened  to  help  and  comfort  them.  When 
the  members  of  these  famiHes  were  scat- 
tered abroad  in  distant  lands,  their  sweet- 
est memories  of  home  and  friends,  and 
holy  places,  were  inseparably  connected 
with  the  beloved  class  leader. 

His  christian  activities  could  not  be  con- 
fined to  the  city  where  he  dwelt.  The  wor- 
shippers in  wayside  churches,  the  religious 
people  of  country  villages,  and  the  sons 
and  daughters  of  poverty,  wherever  they 
called  on  God,  rejoiced  to  hear  his  foot- 
steps, and  found  themselves  richer  in  grace 
and  in  money,  before  he  left  them.  When 
hard  work  required  seasons  of  recreation 
he  did  not  seek  it  in  places  of  fashionable 
resort.  The  springs,  the  sea  shore,  Frank- 
fort and  Washington,  had  no  attractions 
for  him  when  he  could  get  to  a  country 
quarterly  meeting,  or  a  grove  consecrated 
to  the  worship  of  The  Most  High.  In- 
crease of  wealth,  or  associations  with  the 
ambitious  and  extravagant,  effected  no 
change  in  his  principles,  his  tastes,  or  his 
pursuits.     Though  a  man  of  most  ardent 


WILLIAM  K'EXDKICK. 


41 


imi)iilses,  he  seldom  acted  from  mere  im- 
pulse. Thoucrh  sincerely  devoted  to  an 
ever  enlarging  circle  of  friends,  even  those 
whom  he  loved  best  had  no  power  to  con- 
strain him  to  do  anything  that  his  own 
jiidgnient  did  not  approve.  No  enthusi- 
asm of  thousands  could  kindle  an  uncal- 
culating  enthusiasm  in  him.  No  opposi- 
tion of  millions  could  turn  him  troni  what 
he  conscientiously  regarded  as  the  path- 
way ol  duty.  But  with  such  sound  judg- 
ment, and  so  strong  a  will,  in  the  govern- 
ment of  his  own  conduct,  he  seldom  strove 
to  impress  his  opinions  on  others :  or  to 
control  their  actions,  except  by  the  power 
of  his  good  example.  He  had  no  ambi- 
tion to  be  a  ruler,  except  over  himself  and 
his  family.  Even  in  the  appointment  of 
pastors,  for  the  congregation  in  which  he 
was  so  long  an.  office  bearer,  he  declined 
to  dictate,  or  even  advise  or  petition. 

This  shrinking  from  the  exercise  of  au- 
thority and  influence,' and  his  habitual  gen- 
tleness toward  the  erring  and  the  vicious, 
seemed  to  those  who  knew  and  loved  him 


42 


MEMOIR    OF 


best,  the  one  weak  point,  in  his  strongly 
virtuous  character.      He  was  so  perfectly 
the  christian  gentleman,  that  the  gravest 
errors,  and  the  vilest  conduct,  seldom  drew 
from  his  lips  the  language  of  denunciation. 
It  was   feared   that   in   his    presence,  error 
and  vice,  would  so  catch  the  glowing  radi- 
ance of  his  benignity,  as  to  forget  their  own 
hideous  deformity.      That  they  could  hardly 
admit  themselves  to  be  so  bad,  as  law  and 
gospel,   and   God,   regarded    them,   if    not 
severely   denounced   by    such  an    embodi- 
ment  of  virtuous  excellency.      His  friends 
believed  that  if  so  much  will-force,  and  such 
correct  judgment,  backed  by  so  fine  a  port, 
and  presence,  so  admirable  a  character,  and 
so  fauldessa  life,  could  have  been  connected 
with  a  little  more  of  the  stern  determina- 
tion of  John   Knox,  to  exterminate  wrong, 
and  make  weaker  minds  submit,  his  useful- 
ness would  have  been  enhanced  a  thousand 
fold.     It  is  however  possible,  that  by  occa- 
sional indulgence,  in  the  severity  deserved 
by  wrong  doers,  he  might  have  lost  some 
of    the    wondrous    power    for    good,    that 


WILLIAM  KEN D RICK. 


was    wielded   b)-   his   loving  gentleness. 

Some  may  imagine  that  a  life  so  inofifen- 
sive,  would  lift  a  man  above  the  temptations, 
and  trials  that  beset  ordinary  christians.  Yet 
this  was  not  so.  Like  all  the  people  of 
God,  like  their  Divine  Saviour,  William 
Kendrick,  had  to  endure  opposition  from 
men,  and  the  temptations  of  the  devil. 
Some  of  the  trials  of  his  early  life  have 
been  already  recorded.  The  troubles  of  his 
business  career  will  be  mentioned  hereafter. 
In  this  place  it  is  proper  to  give  all  that  can 
now  be  learned  about  a  most  remarkable 
Satanic  temptation,  and  a  most  wonderful 
deliverance  from  the  power  of  the  wicked 
one.  Late  in  life  Mr.  Kendrick  invited  an 
intimate  friend  into  the  back  room  of  his 
Main  Street  store,  and  locked  the  door. 
W^ith  manifestations  of  deep  feeling,  he 
stated  that  for  some  time  past,  he  had  been 
the  subject  of  strong,  and  long  continued 
temptation.  He  had  resisted  the  tempter 
and  by  the  grace  of  God  had  maintained 
his  christian  integrity,  yet  the  conflict  with 
the  powers  of  darkness  grew  fiercer.    He 


44 


MEMOIR  OF 


had  sought  dehverance  in  the  regular  use 
of  all  the  means  of  grace,  and  In  earnest, 
fervent,  persevering  private  prayer,  but  still 
the  enemy  came  in  like  a  tiood,  as  if  to 
overwhelm  him,  and  sweep  away  the  very 
citadel  of  his  faith.  It  was  no  failure  of 
health,  no  domestic  distress,  no  business 
perplexity,  no  social  scandal,  no  church 
trouble,  nor  any  personal,  practical  sin,  that 
had  destro)'ed  his  happiness,  and  filled  him 
with  agony.  Yet  it  was  evident  that  he 
must  obtain  relief  throusjh  the  crrace  of 
God,  in  Christ  Jesus,  by  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  or  the  most  serious  of  evils 
would  come.  It  was  suo^aested  that  the 
fervent  effectual  prayers  of  the  people  of 
God,  amid  new  scenes  and  associations, 
could  not  fail  to  be  beneficial  to  one  in  great 
need  of  stronger  faith  and  brighter  hopes. 
He  declined  to  attend  quarterly  meetings 
with  his  friend  in  the  interior  of  Kentucky. 
At  these  he  would  be  recognized  as  an  old, 
and  active  christian.  He  wished  to  go 
where  none  knew  him,  where  he  could  be 
regarded  as  only  an  humble  beggar,  at  the 


WILLIAM  KENDRICK. 


4.S 


throne  of  the  heavenly  grace.  Drs.  Inskip 
and  McDonald,  had  announced  a  Holiness 
meeting-  to  be  held  at  a  Camp  Ground 
in  Ohio.  This  he  determined  to  attend. 
He  arrived  on  the  Camp  Ground  at  about 
the  time  for  beginning  one  of  the  services. 
A  large  well  behaved  congregation,  after 
engaging  in  singing  and  prayer,  and  listen- 
ing to  a  discourse  which  insisted  upon  the 
inimediate  exercise  of  an  undoubting  faith, 
for  a  present  cleansing  from  sin,  bowed 
down  toy^ether  to  wait  for  the  descending 
blessing.  He  of  course  bowed  with  them, 
and  lifted  the  prayers  of  his  anxious  heart, 
to  the  throne  of  the  heavenly  grace.  He 
had  not  been  favorably  impressed  by  the 
boldness  with  which  the  worshippers  ex- 
pressed their  confidence  in  an  instantaneous 
cleansing  from  sin,  nor  did  he  entirely  ap- 
prove the  dramatic  grouping,  and  the 
sensational  proceedings  of  the  hundreds 
bowed  together  to  pray,  to  expect,  to  be- 
lieve, to  receive.  But  when  one  was 
leading  the  prayers  of  the  assembly,  with 
humble  confessions,  pathetic  pleadings,  and 


46 


MEMOIR    OF 


confident  reliance  on  atoning  blood,  dying 
love,  resurrection  power,  Divine  mediation, 
sovereign  mercy,  and  the   purifying  power 
of  the    Holy   Ghost,    all    criticism    ceased. 
Then  while  still  kneeling,  the  congregation 
continued  its  prayer  in  the  language  of  an 
awe-inspiring,     faith-strengthening,     hope- 
kindling   hymn,    until    heaven     and    earth, 
seemed   to   unite.      It    was   then   proposed 
that  for   five   minutes,    every  heart  should 
send  up  its  own  silent,  fervent  prayer,  for 
blessings   on   itself,  the  assembly,  and  the 
race.      r3uring  that  silent  invocation,  scores 
professed  to  find  pardon,  peace,  and  purity. 
William   Kendrick  though  less  demonstra- 
tive than  others,  obtained  a  glorious  victory 
over   sin  and  Satan:   more   wonderful  and 
satisfactory,  than  he  had  ever  gained  before. 
His  gloom  was  gone.     The  Glory  of  God 
filled  his  heart  and  beamed  from  his  coun- 
tenance.    He  had  not  escaped  beyond  the 
observation  of    all  that  knew  him.      Even 
in  Ohio  he  was  recognized  by  a  few  precious 
friends,  and   these   soon   made  him  known 
to  other  children   of  God,  with   whom  he 


WILLI  AM    KENDRICK.  47 

was   "  welcomed   as   if   loved    for   years." 

His  visits  to  Parks  Hill,  and  Kavanaugh 
Camp  meetings,  are  remembered  as  occa- 
sions of  delight,  by  hundreds  who  frequent 
those  consecrated  groves.  His  presence  at 
Annual,  District, and  Quarterly  Conferences, 
were  always  suggestive,  and   promotive  of 

"The  soul's  calm  sunshine, 
And  the  heartfelt  joy." 

Such  spiritual  conflicts  and  victories  as  that 
just  recorded,  may  by  thousands  of  sincere 
persons,  be  deemed  incredible,  but  nearly 
all  the  eminent  children  of  God  have  so 
suffered,  and  so  triumphed.  In  ancient 
times  Abraham,  Job,  Daniel,  and  Paul,  are 
illustrious  examples.  In  recent  times  Lu- 
ther, Wesley,  and  hundreds  of  others  have 
fought  such  battles,  and  gained  such  victo- 
ries. Nominal  christians  "Fast  bound  in 
Satan's  slavish  chains "  may  wear  their 
fetters  in  quietness.  And  sluggish  souls 
who  do  little  to  manifest  the  spiritual  life 
that  is  in  them,  may  be  left  to  their  inglo- 
rious inertia,  with  but  slight  disturbance. 
If  space  permitted,  much  more  might  be 


48  MEMOIR   OF 


profitably  written  about  the  religious  char- 
acter, and  conduct  of  the  subject  of  our 
memoir.  Larofe  volumes  micrht  be  filled 
with  interesting  incidents  treasured  up  in 
the  memories  of  hundreds  who  have  been 
benefitted  by  his  religious  labors. 

Though  truth  has  rendered  it  necessary 
to  present  him  as  a  methoclist,  a  methodist 
of  the  straitest  sect,  yet  no  single  sect  could 
appropriate  such  a  heart  and  such  a  life. 
He  belonged  to  all  Christendom.  To  hu- 
manity. To  the  whole  family  of  God 
throughout  the  universe.  How  he  was  re- 
garded by  his  brethren  of  other  denomina- 
tions, and  his  friends  of  no  denomination, 
has  been  most  eloquently  set  forth  by  our 
ablest  speakers,  prose  writers  and  poets. 
We  cannot  do  justice  to  the  subject  in  hand, 
without  makingr  some  of  the  numerous  ser- 
mons,  addresses,  resolutions  and  poems, 
called  forth  by  his  lamented  death,  part  of 
this  volume.  These  will  be  found  in  the 
appendix  at  the  end  of  this  memoir.  The 
religious  principles  of  Mr.  Kendrick  were 
not  only  exemplified  in  his  social  and  church 


WILLIAM  KEN D RICK. 


49 


life,  but  were  quite  as  conspicuous  along  all 
the  pathway  of   his  most  remarkable — 


Justness  Ifdrecr. 


It  would  not  indeed  be  statino-  the  fact 
too  strongly,  to  say  that  his  religion,  liter- 
ally led  the  unselfish  tradesman,  from  pen- 
niless poverty,  to  honorable  opulence,  and 
crowned  him  with  the  most  enviable  com- 
mercial prosperity. 

The  lad  was  but  little  more  than  four- 
teen years  old,  when  Mr,  Beard  kindly 
accepted  his  services,  and  agreed  to  teach 
him  his  trade.  If  he  was  not  superior  to 
others  in  aptness  to  learn,  in  mechanical 
skill,  or  in  rapidity  of  execution,  he  pos- 
sessed much  more  important  qualifications, 
in  a  degree  equalled  by  few,  and  surpassed 
by  none.  He  was  truthful,  honest,  cheer- 
ful, active,  industrious,  prompt,  punctual : 
and  gave  the  most  careful  attention  to  the 
minutest  details  of  the  least  important 
business  with  which  he  was  entrusted.  In 
commercial    life,   he  sought  no  unfair  ad- 


50 


MEMOIR    OF 


vantage  over  others.  He  did  not  profess 
to  work  for  less,  or  to  sell  lower:  nor  did 
he  undervalue  the  wares  of  his  neig^hbors 
or  over-estimate  the  value  of  his  own.  He 
uttered  no  sensational  boasts  of  a  wonder- 
fully refined  taste,  or  a  masterly  skill  in  the 
manipulation  of  gems  and  jewels.  He 
resorted  to  no  tricks  of  trade,  to  secure 
custom.  Indeed  if  judged  by  commonly 
received  standards  of  opinion,  in  business 
circles,  he  would  have  been  pronounced 
decidedly  deficient  in  push  and  enterprise. 
Yet  he  was  eminently  successful.  It  was 
integrity  of  character  that  laid  the  founda- 
tion of  his  prosperity.  It  was  christian 
principle  that  built  up  his  business.  It  was 
a  renewed  heart,  guileless  and  loving,  that 
spoke  through  his  lips,  glowed  in  his 
countenance,  and  gave  to  his  eyes,  that 
indescribable  fascinating  power,  which 
once  felt,  can  never  be  forgotten.  His 
peculiar  politeness,  was  not  mere  Chester- 
fieldian,  outside  polish,  but  the  legitimate 
manifestation  of  a  heaven-inspired  truthful- 
ness, honesty  and  philanthropy.     This  in 


WILLIAM  KEN D  RICK.  c  i 


the  Utter  absence  of  pharisaic  cant,  or  of 
boastful  pretenses  of  worldly  honor,  im- 
pressed all  who  knew  him,  with  the  idea 
that  he  was  the  best  possible  human 
exemplification  of  that  American  expression 
"  Thoroughly  reliable,"  or  of  those  more 
correct  English  words  "Perfectly  trust- 
worthy." It  is  difficult  to  over-estimate 
the  value  of  such  a  reputation  in  connec- 
tion with  the  sale  of  articles  about  which 
the  tradesman  knows  so  much,  and  the 
customer  so  little. 

In  1 83 1,  soon  after  becoming  of  age, 
Mr.  Kendrick  entered  into  partnership 
with  Mr.  Harris,  a  brother  of  Mr.  Alfred 
Harris,  for  many  years  Assessor  of  the 
City  of  Louisville.  What  degree  of 
success  was  enjoyed  by  this  firm,  we  have 
not  learned,  but  it  was  dissolved  in  less 
than  a  year ;  and  a  partnership  was  formed 
with  Mr.  James  I.  Lemon.  Lemon  &  Ken- 
drick, soon  transacted  a  very  extensive 
business  which  promised  rapidly  to  enrich 
those  enterprising  gentlemen.  For  several 
years  their  store  at    the   corner    of  Main 


52  MEMOIR    OF 


and  Fourth  streets,  presented  a  varied 
stock  of  jewelry,  clocks,  watches  and  plate, 
that  might  have  compared  favorably  with 
similar  establishments  in  more  pretentious 
cities.  But  the  commercial  storm  of  1838, 
39-40-41-42,  struck  them  as  it  did  thou- 
sands of  other  business  men,  when  they 
were  least  expecting  such  a  disaster.  With 
a  large  stock  of  goods  rapidly  depreciating 
in  value,  with  sales  of  costly  jewelry  almost 
entirely  suspended,  and  notes,  and  book 
accounts,  becoming  worthless  on  account 
of  the  general  bankruptcy  of  their  debtors, 
they  were  compelled  to  suspend  business. 
The  creditors  of  the  firm  were  informed  of 
the  unfortunate  state  of  their  affairs,  and 
they  proposed  to  surrender  stock,  notes,  ac- 
counts, and  everything  else  that  they 
possessed.  Mr.  Kendrick  even  gave  up 
the  house  in  which  he  lived.  It  had  been 
built  on  ground  belonging  to  his  wife, 
and  had  never  been  conveyed  to  himself. 
Against  this  the  creditors  of  the  firm  could 
not  have  the  shadow  of  a  legal  claim,  yet 
the   young   tradesman  saw   his   sick   wife, 


WILLIAM   KENDRICK. 


and  her  two  helpless  little  girl's  walk  un- 
complainingly by  his  side,  through  the  door, 
down  the  steps,  out  into  the  world,  home- 
less and  poverty  stricken. 

When  what  appeared  to  be  a  final  set- 
tlement had  been  made,  and  the  bankrupt 
jewelers  were  legally  released  from  their 
debts,  the  eastern  creditors  asked  Mr. 
Kendrick  what  he  proposed  to  do  for  a 
living?  He  informed  them  that  he  expect- 
ed to  work  at  his  business  with  his  own 
hands.  They  expressed  unshaken  confi- 
dence in  his  character,  and  in  his  business 
qualifications  ;  and  proposed  to  open  new 
accounts,  and  furnish  him  with  a  complete 
stock  of  merchandize  with  which  to  begin 
again.  He  thanked  them  for  their  expres- 
sions of  confidence,  and  their  kind  offers 
of  credit;  but  said  firmly,  "Gentlemen,  I 
have  suffered  so  much  on  account  of  debt, 
that  I  never  expect  to  go  in  debt  again." 
They  then  proposed  to  sell  him  the  stock 
they  had  in  Louisville,  which  the  firm  had 
just  surrendered.  He  again  respectfully 
refused  to  buy  anything  on  a  credit.     Then 


54 


MEMOIR  OF 


they  asked  the  privilege  of  storing  their 
goods  with  him,  that  he  might  sell  them  on 
their  account,  and  make  such  profits  on 
them  as  he  deemed  practicable  and  proper. 
To  this  he  consented ;  and  further  agreed 
that  they  might  from  time  to  time,  add 
such  articles  as  might  be  necessary  to  make 
his  small  business  profitable  to  them.  He 
however  positively  refused  to  mix  the 
money  received  for  their  stock,  with  the 
money  which  he  expected  to  earn  for  the 
support  of  his  family. 

Then  followed  years  of  close  economy, 
patient  waiting,  untiring  industry,  and 
earnest  devotion  to  business.  He  had 
many  friends  and  the  confidence  of  all  who 
knew  him,  but  on  a  cash  basis  business  in- 
creased slowly.  Yet  rigidly  adhering  to 
his  resolution,  he  refused  to  incur  debt,  in 
order  to  engage  in  more  extensive  trans- 
actions. If  the  enlargement  of  his  trade 
was  slow,  it  was  steady,  safe,  solid.  If 
new  customers  were  not  multiplied  rapidly, 
they  were  securely  retained.  If  wealth  did 
not  accumulate  fast,  debt  did  not;  his  small 


WILLIAM  KENDRICK. 


55 


income  exceeded  his  expenditures.  He 
had  the  satisfaction  to  see  a  gradual  en- 
largement of  that  part  of  the  stock  which 
was  his  own  and  a  corresponding  diminution 
of  that  which  he  was  sellingr  for  his  eastern 
friends.  In  the  course  of  a  few  years  he 
became  the  owner  of  everything  in  his 
store,  and  by  human  law  owed  no  man 
anything.  He  had  long  ardently  desired 
to  see  that  day.  Yet  it  brought  no  relax- 
ation of  effort,  no  temptation  to  extrav- 
agance. It  was  the  besfinnincr  of  mightier 
exertions,  to  secure  a  more  glorious  tri- 
umph. The  unpaid  debts  of  Lemon  & 
Kendrick  had  been  legally  discharged. 
No  civil  court  had  power  to  collect  one 
cent  on  the  old  accounts.  Eastern  credi- 
tors had  long  since  charged  them  to  profit 
and  loss,  and  had  cheerfully  relinquished 
all  claims  against  their  polite,  profitable, 
Louisville  customers.  But  these  honest 
men  had  never  repudiated  their  obligations. 
They  had  even  dared  to  hope  that  a  God, 
loving  honesty  and  justice,  would  permit 
them  to  live  and  labor  long  enough  to  lift 


56  MEMOIR  OF 


from  their  tender  consciences,  this  never- 
forgotten  burden. 

When  Mr.  Kendrick  discovered  that  he 
was  no  longer  dependent  upon  others  for 
the  means  of  conducting  his  small,  but 
increasing  business,  his  heart  was  filled 
with  richest  gratitude  to  God,  and  strong 
encouragement  to  labor  for  complete  eman- 
cipation from  the  thraldom  of  his  old  in- 
debtedness. God  heard  his  prayers  and 
blessed  his  efforts,  and  permitted  him  to 
hail  the  first  of  January,  1850,  as  the 
beginning   of  his  year  of  jubilee. 

In  April  of  that  year  he  had  cash  with 
which  to  replenish  his  stock,  and  a  surplus 
sufficient  to  pay  principal  and  interest  of  the 
old  debts  that  more  than  seven  years  before 
had  been  settled  by  bankruptcy.  The 
following  letters  were  received  by  him  in 
reply  to  letters  which  he  had  written 
enclosing  drafts  for  the  money. 
Dear  Sir-  Philadelphia,  April  18,  1850. 

Messrs.  Dubosq,  Carrow  &  Co.  handed  me  yes- 
terday, your  half  of  the  balance  of  the  old  account 
of  Lemon  &  Kendrick,  with  interest  from  that  time. 
I  considered  that   account   entirely   and  honorably 


WILLIAM  KENDRICK.  z^' 


settled,  as  you  gave  up  all  your  property  and  goods 
in  payment  to  your  creditors,  which  was  all  we  could 
ask  or  expect. 

Since  I  have  been  in  business  I  have  had  many 
promises  made  me,  when  I  have  compromised  a 
debt,  that  if  ever  able  the  parties  would  certainly  pay 
the  balance,  but  you  have  the  pleasure  of  making  the 
first  performance. 

Money  received  by  such  good  and  christian  princi- 
ples, I  feel  anxious  should  be  better  appropriated 
than  to  ordinary  business.  I  have  therefore  handed 
Twenty  dollars  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Board  of 
Domestic  Missions,  that  it  may  return  to  the  West 
and  take  root  there,  and  the  balance  handed  to  Mrs. 
Harper  for  distribution  to  some  charitable  purposes 
at  home. 

Hoping  you  may  have  the  same  pleasure  in  all  your 
l)usiness  transactions  as  in  this,  looking  for  your 
reward  beyond  this  life, 

I  am  sincerely  yours, 

John  M.   Harper. 


Philadelphia.  April   17,   1850. 
Friend  Kendrick  : 

We  have  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  draft,  of  which  we 

have  paid  to  Mr.  Harper Dollars,  and  the  balance 

have  pas.sed  to  the  credit  of  Lemon  &  Kendrick  on 
the  old  account  which  w^e  had  almost  forgotten.  We 
will  not  say  that  this  is  unexpected,  for  all  our  deal- 
ings with  both  yourself  and  Mr.  Lemon  have  led  us 
to  believe  that  at  some  time  or  other,  if  you  were 
able,  we  should  receive  the  balance  due  us,  yet  it  is 
so  unusual  a  circumstance  in  these  days  of  rascality 
and  roguery  to  find  any  one  willing  to  do  what  is  just 
or  more  than  they  can  be  compelled  to,  that  we  can- 


58 


MEMOIR  OF 


not  help  making  you  our  acknowledgments.  We 
will  not  pay  you  any  compliments  or  say  anything 
which  you  might  consider  as  flattery,  yet  we  must  let 
you  know  that  we  duly  appreciate  this  action  of 
yours  which  we  shall  not  easily  forget. 

Hoping  and  believing  that  in  the  end  you  will  not 
be  the  loser  by  this  transaction,  we  are  with  senti- 
ments of  high  esteem, 

Sincerely  yours, 

DuBOSQ,  Carrow  &  Co. 


New  York,   9th  May,   1850. 

Mr.   William  Kendrick, 

Louisville,    Ky. 
Dear  Sir  : 

It  is  with  great  satisfaction  that  we  reply  to  your 
esteemed  favor  of  the  loth  April  last,  enclosing  a 
Check  for  money,  to  be  divided  amongst  the  sub- 
scribers as  therein  directed,  being  a  payment  in  full 
of  a  Claim  with  Interest  released  by  us  some  Seven 
Years  since. 

We  are  Sir,  indebted  to  you  for  this  evidence  of 
sound  and  correct  principles,  and  have  read  your 
letter  with  lively  interest  and  much  profit.  We  find 
the  sentiments  therein  expressed,  such  as  do  honor  to 
your  head  and  heart. 

It  is  not  often  that  we  are  called  upon  to  ac- 
knowledge the  receipt  of  money  sent  to  satisfy  a 
Claim  upon  which  no  creditor  has  a  legal  demand, 
and  upon  which  he  can  scarcely  be  said  to  have  a 
moral  one,  and  we  most  sincerely  trust  that  the  ex- 
ample now  shown  by  you,  of  what  strict  Justice  and 
Morality  require,  may  be  followed  by  all  those  who 
find  themselves  in  like  situation. 

As  a  te.stimonial  of  our  regard  and  as  a  Keepsake 
to  be  pointed  to  hereafter  by  your  descendants,  we 


WILLIAM  KENDRICK.  59 


beg  your  acceptance  of  a  piece  of  Silver  Plate,  suit- 
ably inscribed,  which  we  have  despatched  to  your 
address  by  Adams  &  Co.'s  Express. 

\\'ishing  you  every  gratification  that  a  good  action 
and  Just  Conduct  may  produce, 

We  remain,  your  friends. 

Fellows,   Wadsworth  &  Co. 
Fellows,  Cargill  &  Co. 
Francis  Tomes  &  Sons. 
Downing  &  Baldwin. 

Those  from  Philadelphia  need  no  expla- 
nation. That  from  New  York  was  em- 
barrassing as  well  as  gratifying.  Seeking 
no  commendations  or  compliments  for  what 
appeared  to  him  the  performance  of  an 
unquestionable  duty  he  expected  nothing 
more  than  simple  business  receipts  for  the 
money.  When,  therefore,  the  newspapers 
published  the  transaction,  his  sensitive  soul 
not  only  shrunk  from  the  notoriety  it  gave 
him,  and  from  the  temptation  to  esteem 
himself  too  highly,  but  as  the  following 
letter  from  himself  to  the  New  York 
gentlemen  shows,  was  pained  by  the  fear 
that  his  equally  honest  friend,  and  former 
partner,  Mr.  Lemon,  might  be  embarrassed 
by  the  publication. 


6o  MEMOIR    OF 


Louisville,  Ky.,  May  30,  1850. 

Messrs.  Fellows,  Wadsworth  &  Co., 

Downing  &  Baldwin, 

Fellows,  Cargill  &  Co., 

F.  Tomes  &  Sons, 
Gentlemen  : 

With  feelings  which  I  liave  not  language  to  ex- 
press, I  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  very  kind 
letter  of  the  9th  inst.  Also  of  the  beautiful  Silver 
Pitcher  with  which  you  liave  thought  proper  to  pre- 
sent me  as  a  testimonial  of  your  regard. 

You  will  please  accept  my  thanks  for  this  bestow- 
ment  which  I  feel  is  so  unmerited  on  my  part, and  be 
assured  that  those  thanks  arise  from  a  full  and  grate- 
ful heart. 

The  consciousness  that  I  have  done  my  duty  in  the 
act  which  lead  to  this  development  of  your  kind  feel- 
ing toward  me,  afforded  me  a  sufficient  remuneration 
in  itself,  and  a  satisfaction  that  none  but  they  who 
feel  it  know ;  and  then  to  have  received  the  letter 
which  I  did  from  your  hands,  added  a  new  feature  to 
heighten  that  enjoyment,  but  think  it  not  strange 
when  I  tell  you  that  on  receiving  the  Plate  and 
reading  the  inscrij^tion,  I  felt  in  my  heart  the  necessi- 
ty of  praying  to  Him,  to  whom  I  am  indebted  di- 
rectly or  indirectly  for  every  good  and  perfect  gift, 
that  He  would  grant  me  grace  that  I  might  not  be 
exalted  above  that  which  is  right  in  His  sight. 

I  receive  the  offering  at  your  hand.     I  have  given 

it  in  charge  to  Mrs.  Kendrick  to  be  placed  in  view 

of   my   children,    that  when  I  cease  to  live  on  earth, 

you  may  be  remembered  by  them  as   their  Father's 

friend.  ^^  .  „ 

Yours  most  respectfully, 

Wm.   Kendrick. 


WILLIAM    KENDRICK.  6  I 

Permit  me  to  add  that  I  fear  I  have  raised  a  barrier 
though  unintentionally,  in  the  way  of  rny  friend  and 
old  partner,  Mr.  Lemon.  He  says  that  he  now  feels 
that  his  hands  are  tied,  for  under  the  circumstances 
he  could  not  feel  free  to  adjust  his  portion  of  the  old 
debt,  for  fear  his  act  in  so  doing  might  be  attributed 
to  improper  motives.  Though  he  has  had  it  on  his 
mind  to  do  so  some  day,  and  had  not  forgotten  our 
premise.  I  have  not  a  doubt  but  his  heart  is  right  in 
the  matter.  But  not  knowing  his  circumstances  fully. 
I  from  delicacy,  did  not  make  known  my  intention 
to  him  for  fear  he  would  not  be  prepared  to  unite 
with  me.  I  therefore  acted  for  myself,  supposing  I 
should  have  received  a  recei])t  for  the  amount,  and 
nothing  more,  thus  leaving  the  ojjportunity  0|)en  for 
him  to  do  the  same  whenever  circumstances  would 
permit  him  to  do  so.  I  offer  this  as  an  apology  for 
not  acting  unitedly  in  the  matter.  -^    t- 

The  piece  of  plate  to  which  these  letters 
refer  is  an  elegant  silver  pitcher.  On  this 
tasteful  orift  is  enofraved, 

"Presented  to  William  Kendrick,  of 
Louisville,  Kentucky,  by  Fellows,  Wads- 
worth  <S:  Co.,  Fellows, Cargill  &:  Co.,  Francis 
Tomes  &  Sons,  and  Downing  &  Baldwin, 
of  New  York ;  as  a  testimonial  of  their 
esteem  for  his  integrity  and  moral  worth."' 
"An  honest  man's  the  noblest  work  of  God." 

It  is  reported  that  when  Mr.  Kendrick 
visited  New  York  at  a  later  day  in  1850 
the  gentlemen  who  had  presented  the  silver 


62  MEMOIR  OF 


pitcher  met  together  and  offered  him  the 
money  which  he  had  sent  them  to  pay  the 
old  accounts.  They  said  this  money  does 
not  belong  to  us ;  we  cannot  keep  it ;  we 
have  long  since  charged  it  to  profit  and  loss. 
And  besides  by  our  sales  to  you  before  and 
since  your  former  settlement,  we  have  made 
several  times  the  amount.  We  cannot  keep 
your  money.  He  replied,  Gentlemen,  this 
money  is  not  mine,  I  regard  it  as  justly  due 
to  you.  When  this  generous  contention 
had  continued  for  some  time,  a  compromise 
was  agreed  upon  by  which  the  money  was 
given  to  certain  orphan  asylums. 

Those  who  had  been  personally  acquaint- 
ed with  Mr.  Kendrick,  needed  no  such  testi- 
monial to  confirm  their  confidence  in  him, 
but  by  the  publication  of  this  transaction, the 
honest  jeweler  was  made  known  to  thou- 
sands by  whom  he  was  afiierwards  patron- 
ized, loved  and  honored.  Thus  at  forty 
years  of  age,  the  subject  of  our  memoir 
had  become  one  of  the  most  eminent  of 
business  men.  By  the  blessing  of  God  he 
had  struggled  up  through  orphanage,  pov- 


IVILLIAM  K END  RICK. 


erty,  ignorance,  toil,  bankruptcy,  and  dis- 
couragement, to  a  position  of  comparative 
independence  and  highly  enviable  honor. 
He  was  out  of  debt,  engaged  in  a  pleasant 
profitable  business,  and  rich  in  that  integ- 
rity of  character  which  commanded  the 
confidence  of  an  ever  enlarging  multitude 
of  friends.  He  had  learned  wisdom  from 
the  mistakes  of  earlier  years,  andJ<;new  how 
to  avoid  the  disasters  of  commercial  life. 
A  thorough  master  of  his  useful  art,  and 
of  the  business  capacity  and  capital,  neces- 
sary to  success  in  it,  the  pathway  of 
prosperity  opened  up  brightly  before  him. 
Henceforth,  with  constantly  increasing 
financial  strength,  each  succeeding  step 
was  to  be  bolder,  and  more  vigorous  than 
the  last.  The  balance  sheet  of  every  year 
was  to  show  the  prosperous  merchant  an 
encouraging  increase  of  his  capital. 

If  space  permitted  it  would  be  pleasant 
and  profitable  to  record  the  important  trans- 
actions of  nearly  fifty  years  of  an  extra- 
ordinary man's  life.  The  hopeful  begin- 
nings  with   Harris,   with   Lemon,  the   vast 


64 


MEMOIR    OF 


business,  and  vaster  plans  of  Lemon  & 
Kendrick,  the  dark  days  preceding  bank- 
ruptcy, the  crushing  collapse  of  trade,  ot 
credit,  hope  and  commercial  ambition,  the 
anxious  journeyman,  without  business  or 
home,  and  a  sick  wife  and  two  babes  de- 
pendent upon  him.  That  was  his  darkest 
day,  but  there  was  heavenly  light  in  his 
heart,  and  the  light  of  love  in  his  domestic 
circle.  It  would  be  profitable  to  call  up  the 
kind  words  of  those  creditors  who  proposed 
to  trust  him  again,  and  the  immovable 
resolution  of  the  young  man  never  to 
contract  any  more  debts,  to  gaze  on  the 
first  dollar  earned  by  the  young  mechanic 
for  the  support  of  his  loved  ones,  after  the 
wreck  of  his  large  business  had  floated 
beyond  his  control ;   to  follow  the  cautious 

tradesman  from  the  little  shop  on  Fourth 
Street,  to  the  larger  one  on  Third  Street, 
from  that  to  the  more  extensive  store  on 
Main  Street,  and  thence  to  the  grander 
establishment  on  Fourth  Avenue,  where 
amid  glittering  gold,  and  sparkling  gems. 


WILLIAM  KEN D KICK. 


65 


his    wonderful    business    career    closed.* 

Much  as  Mr.  K.  was  admired  and  loved 
by  thousands,  he  was  occasionally  the  sub- 
ject of  uncharitable  gossip.  A  lady  with 
mild  suspicion,  pronounced  him  "A  very 
gooA  \Vi2JVi..  ox  a  very  great  Jiypocritey  Vox 
economy's  sake,  and  to  pay  his  debts  earlier 
by  it,  he  had  a  very  cheap  dwelling  house 
erected  on  some  ground  in  which  his  wife 
had  a  small  undivided  interest.  A  venera- 
ble church  member  passing  by  it  said;  "I 
suppose  that  house  is  built  with  some  of 
brother  Billy's  savings.  A  shrewd  lawyer 
approached  him  and  said  in  the  manner  of 
an  inquirer,  you  know  sir  that  your  title  to 

is  not  valid?      He  promptly  answered 

"no  sir,  I  do  not:  and  I  will  thank  you  to 
prove  it,  as  I  do  not  wish  to  hold  anything 
by  a  questionable  title." 

His  customers  were  not  all  of  the  most 
agreeable    kind.       Swindlers    and    thieves 


On  a   loose  scrap  of  paper  the  following  figures  appear  in  his  own 
hand    writing.       "Commenced    business    with    $20.00    cash,    a    silver 
watch   worth    about   $19.00,  and    a    few  watch    tools,  the  whole  amount- 
ing  to   about  ---..$  150.00 
April    ist,    1844,  Net  gain  in  i  year  -  n(,<^.\'& 
i°45>                                                    -               1,772.37 
1846,             "             "                    -             i>997o7 
March  ist,  1847,  Net  gain  11   Months        -             1,299.33 


66  MEMOIR  OF 


sometimes  appropriated  his  merchandise, 
and  plausible  purchasers,  much  more  fre- 
quently took  advantage  of  his  generous 
confidence,  to  shine  and  sparkle  with  orna- 
ments for  which  they  never  paid.  Still 
more  disagreeable  to  a  gentle  spirit  like  his 
was  an  occasional  misunderstanding  with 
an  honorable  man.  Long  after  he  had 
become  wealthy,  he  called  a  friend  into  his 
store  and  requested  him  to  read  two  letters. 
One  was  from  a  highly  respectable  gentle- 
man of  an  adjacent  county,  protesting  in 
severe,  indignant  language,  against  exhor- 
bitant  charges  for  repairing  his  watch.  It 
more  than  hinted  at  hypocrisy  on  the  part 
of  one  whose  reputation  for  piety  had  en- 
abled him  to  take  so  unfair  an  advantage 
of  an  unsuspecting  customer.  The  other 
in  reply  contained  no  unkind  word.  It 
proposed  that  the  offended  man  should  at 
his  own  convenience,  call  upon  the  skillful, 
honest  p-entlemen.  who  had  mended  the 
watch,  to  show  what  work  had  been  done, 
and  then  let  any  respectable  jeweler,  name 
the  value  of  the  work  done. 


WILLIAM  KENDRICK.  67 

If  the  plan  of  this  vohime  allowed  space 
for  discussion,  this  would  be  the  place  to 
moralize  on  many  subjects  suggested  by 
this  brief  biography  of  a  religiously  honest 
man.  It  might  be  asked,  if  idle  gossip  was 
allowed  to  attack  such  a  man,  who  then  can 
hope  for  exemption  from  its  venomous 
blighting  breath  ?  Can  it  ever  be  proper  to 
utter  unkind  suspicions,  or  accusations 
against  the  absent,  unless  it  is  absolutely 
necessary  for  the  protection  of  unsuspecting 
persons?  Ought  an  honest  bankrupt,  to 
give  his  creditors  every  thing  and  his  fam- 
ily nothing?  Is  it  the  duty  of  prosperous 
merchants,  to  make  some  provision  for  their 
families,  while  they  are  yet  wealthy,  and 
secure  the  same  beyond  liability  to  loss  by 
subsequent  commercial  reverses?  When 
courts  relieve  bankrupts  from  legal'liabilities 
for  debts,  or  when  creditors  relinquish 
claims,  is  it  not  the  duty  of  the  debtor  to 
still  strive  through  life,  to  pay  the  uttermost 
farthing  of  original  indebtedness?  Is  the 
credit  system  a  greater  good  than  evil  ? 

Mr.  Kendrick  never  doubted  the  wisdom 


68  MEMOIR  OF 


of  his  own  fixed  determination  to  refuse  to 
accept  credit.  It  saved  him  from  much 
anxiety,  great  risk,  and  possibly  from  a 
second  faikire.  Thouofh  he  had  at  one  time 
paid  an  annual  tax,  on  a  net  income  of  more 
than  thirty  thousand  dollars,  and  had 
liberally  aided  each  one  of  a  large  family 
ot  children,  yet  when  the  panic  of  1873 
brought  ruin  to  so  many  merchants,  he  was 
astonished  to  find  that  his  expenditures 
exceeded  his  income.  But  as  he  owed 
nothing,  it  was  only  necessary  to  economize 
a  little,  in  order  to  balance  accounts  the 
next  year.  The  aged  merchant  became 
his  own  book-keeper:  less  business  required 
less  capital :  there  was  a  reduction  of  ex- 
penses, more  than  equal  to  the  reduction 
of  income.  Hence  when  prosperity  re- 
turned to  the  country,  he  was  ready  to  lay 
hold  on  all  the  advantages  it  brought. 

Though  he  avoided  debt,  declined  secu- 
rityships,  and  carefully  attended  to  his  own 
business,  he  was  not  reg^ardless  of  the 
business  interests  of  others.  No  man  was 
more  ready  to  help  a  neighbor,  either  with 


IVILLIAM  KENDRICK. 


69 


personal  assistance,  or  with  short  loans  of 
money  already  in  hand.  If  his  was  the 
happiest  of  homes,  he  was  not  forgetful  of 
other  homes,  less  happy  than  his  own. 
Zealous  devotion  to  his  own  church,  and 
ardent  love  for  all  christians,  did  not  wean 
him  from  other  benevolent  societies,  or 
destroy  his  love  of  social  life,  or  in  any 
way  make  him  any  less  a  man.  among  men, 
in  the  very  best  sense  of  that  expression. 
It  his  principles,  and  his  tastes,  led  him  to 
turn  with  disgust  and  abhorrence,  from 
degrading  vulgar  vices,  the  most  degraded 
of  the  vicious,  might  have  turned  to  him 
to  find  a  pitying  heart,  and  helping  hand  to 
aid  in  his  elevation.  Though  he  deemed  it 
his  own  dut}'  to  turn  away  from  cards,  dice, 
dances,  races,  operas  and  stage  plays,  and 
even  from  convivial  gatherings  where  the 
rich,  the  reputable,  the  refined, the  educated, 
the  talented,  and  the  distinguished  indulged 
in  fashionable  revelry,  and  dissipation,  it 
was  not  because  he  wished  them  to  have 
less  pleasure  on  earth,  but  higher  happi- 
ness here,  and  in  the  eternal  hereafter. 


JO  MEMOIR  OF 


As  a  real  lover  of  his  country,  he  was 
keenly  alive  to  every  patriotic  impulse,  but 
had  little  to  do  with  party  politics,  beyond 
the  casting  of  quiet  votes,  for  the  best 
principles,  and  the  best  men,  according  to 
his  own  judgment.  If  he  could  have  been 
classed  as  a  partizan,  and  induced  to  accept 
office,  the  leaders  of  either  party  would 
gladly  have  given  his  name  a  prominent 
place  on  their  ticket.  As  it  was,  he  served 
a  term  in  the  city  council,  and  one  in  the 
school  board,  much  to  the  satisfaction  of 
his  constituents. 

His  connection  with  Freemasonry  began 
in  early  life,  and  continued  while  he  lived. 
The  charitable  work  of  the  order,  and  the 
fraternal  ties  which  bind  its  members  to  one 
another,  were  well  calculated  to  excite  in 
him  a  deep  and  abiding  interest.  He  was 
a  charter  member,  and  Past  Master  of 
Louisville  Lodge.  He  was  also  a  Royal 
Arch  Mason,  and  received  the  Council 
degrees,  R.  &  S.  M.  in  1832.  One  of  his 
masonic  brethren  says  of  him:  ''He  was 
unassuming    and     unobtrusive   in   manner 


IVILLIAM  KEN D RICK. 


71 


and  so  much  opposed  to  ostentatious  dis- 
play that  he  did  not  desire  the  pageantry 
of  a  masonic  funeral." 

He  was  a  thorough  temperance  man, 
advocating  and  practicing  total  abstinence 
from  all  intoxicating  drinks. 

He  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  Board 
of  Visitors,  of  the  Kentucky  Asylum  for 
the  Blind,  to  which  position  he  was  nomi- 
nated by  Governor  Blackburn,  and  re-elect- 
ed by  the  Senate  of  Kentucky,  the  day 
before  his  death.  He  was  also  one  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  of  The  American 
Printing  House  for  the  Blind.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Education  of 
the  Louisville  Annual  Conference  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South.  Also 
one  of  the  most  active  managrers  of  the 
Methodist  Widows'  and  Orphans'  Home. 
He  was  a  liberal  contributor  to  the  Ameri- 
can Bible  Society,  and  an  active  member  of 
the  Missionary  Society  of  his  own  church. 
For  many  years  he  was  a  faithful  Sabbath 
School  worker,  and  he  continued  to  foster 
the  institution  while  he  lived,  being  at  the 


72  MEMOIR   OF 


time  of  his  death,  President  of  the  Sunday 
School  Union  of  the  Louisville  District, 
and  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  School 
of  Chestnut  Street  Church.  His  place  in 
the  Prayer  Meeting  was  seldom  unoccupied 
and  his  attendance  upon  all  the  means  of 
pfrace  was  regular  and  constant. 

The  closing  years  of  his  life,  must  have 
been  highly  satisfactory  to  the  successful 
merchant.  He  enjoyed  uninterrupted 
health.  Plenty,  peace,  purity  and  love 
smiled  on  his  happy  home.  He  was  useful, 
respected,  and  loved,  in  his  prosperous 
church.  Religious,  benevolent,  and  social 
circles,  lavished  their  highest  honors  upon 
him.  He  was  the  most  valued  companion 
of  the  best  of  men,  the  most  admired  and 

trusted  man  among  the  holiest  of  women ; 

and  best  of  all,  constant  communion  with 

God  had  been  the  habit,  and  the  solace  of 

his     life    for    more    than    half    a    century. 

Heaven  and  earth  seemed  to  be  lavish  of 

their   love   toward   him.     The   oft   quoted 

lines  of  Halleck,  on  his  friend  Drake,  were 


WILLIAM  KEN D RICK.  73 

never  more  truthfully  applied  to  any  man. 

"  None  knew  thee,  but  to  love  thee, 
Nor  named  thee,  but  to  praise." 

Day  by  clay  his  pious,  industrious  sons 
stood  by  his  side,  among  his  numerous 
patrons.  They  had  all  the  qualifications 
necessary  to  success,  in  a  business  that 
was  constantly  growing  more  prosperous 
and  profitable.  They  were  prepared  to 
aid  him  during  life,  and  when  death  should 
bring  the  sad  necessity,  to  succeed  him  in 
the  confidence,  and  in  the  patronage,  he 
had  so  long  enjoyed.  Rightful  heirs  of 
his  business,  and  of  his  name,  they  already 
shared  largely  in  the  infinitely  richer  inher- 
itance of  his  christian  virtues.  He  was 
however,  equally  blessed  in  the  high  char- 
acter, and  enviable  social  standing  of  the 
other  members  of — 


As  has  been  already  stated,  Mr.Kendrick 
was  married  to  Miss  Maria  S.  Schwing  on 
the  19th  of  January,  1832. 


74 


MEMOIR  OF 


Mrs.  Kendrick  still  lives,  loved  and  hon- 
ored by  multitudes,  and  tenderly  cared  for 
by  ever  attentive  children  and  grand  chil- 
dren. In  the  early  part  of  her  wedded 
life,  she  was  for  some  time  in  very  delicate 
health,  and  endured  many  painful  attacks 
of  disease.  From  these  however  she  re- 
covered, and  through  middle  life,  enjoyed 
vigorous  health  and  was  exceedingly  active. 
For  the  last  twelve  years  she  has  suffered 
much  from  painful  curvature  of  the  spine, 
which  she  has  borne  with  astonishing  for- 
titude, patience  and  cheerfulness.  Though 
unable  to  walk  abroad,  she  seems  to  have 
a  richer  enjoyment  of  life  than  most  of 
her  more  healthy  neighbors.  Her  widow- 
ed daughter,  Mrs.  Penton,  has  gently 
relieved  her  of  domestic  duties  and  house- 
hold cares,  and  all  her  children  combine  to 
secure  for  her  every  comfort,  that  loving 
hearts  and  busy  hands  can  provide  for  an 
invalid. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kendrick  were  born 
six  daughters  and  three  sons.  Mary  Ellen, 
Emma    Fielding,   Adelia    Corrinna,   Mary 


WILLIAM  KENDRICK. 


75 


Eliza,  Anna  Amelia,  Maria  Godwin,  Wil- 
liam Carnes,  Walter  Schwino-  and  Georee 
Penton.  Mary  Ellen  was  born  on  the 
/til  of  June,  1833,  and  died  on  the  3d  of 
June,  1834.  Emma  Fielding  was  born 
on  the  1 2th  of  August,  1835.  and  was 
married  to  Mr.  George  R.  Penton  on  the 
5th  of  June.  1856.  She  was  bereaved  of 
her  husband  on  the  ist  of  February,  i860. 
They  had  two  sons.  William  Kendrick  and 
Joseph  Talbot.  William  K.  was  drowned 
near  Rock  Castle  Springs,  July  21st,  1879. 
Joseph  T.  still  lives  to  comfort  his  widow- 
ed mother,  who  has  never  forsaken  the 
dwelling  of  her  parents.  Adelia  Corrinna 
was  born  December  28th,  1838,  and  was 
married  to  Mr.  John  B.  Bangs  on  the  21st 
of  May,  1862.  They  have  three  daughters 
and  one  son,  Adelia  Kendrick,  Maria 
Buckmaster,  Nathan  Dudley  and  Emma 
Josephine.  Mary  Eliza  was  born  July 
the  14th,  1845,  s-i'icl  was  married  to  Dr. 
Samuel  H.  Garvin  on  the  3d  of  February, 
1869.  They  have  one  daughter  and  one 
son.    Amy    Donne,   and     William   Joshua. 


^d  MEMOIR  OF 


Anna  Amelia  was  born  November  27th, 
1847,  and  married  to  Mr.  William  Joseph 
Wilson,  on  the  27th  of  February,  1868. 
To  them  have  been  born  five  children. 
Joseph  Kendrick,  who  died  in  infancy,  and 
Anna  Maria,  Emma  Penton,  Fannie  Phil- 
lips and  Bennett  Young  still  living.  Maria 
Godwin  was  born  on  the  loth  of  Decem- 
ber, 1849,  and  was  married  to  Mr.  Edwin 
L.  Carter,  on  the  12th  of  November,  1872. 
To  them  have  been  born  three  children, 
Edwin  Kendrick,  Maria  Annetta  and  James 
Lucas.  Of  these,  James  Lucas  only  lives 
to  accompany  his  mother  on  her  earthly 
pilgrimage.  Mr.  Carter  was  stricken  down 
in  the  prime  of  life  on  the  9th  of  October, 
1879,  William  Carnes  was  born  on  the 
7th  of  June,  1852,  and  was  married  to 
Miss  Lizzie  D.  Rivers,  on  the  13th  of  Jan- 
uary, 1876.  To  them  has  been  born  one 
child,  Emma  Penton.  Walter  Schwing 
was  born  on  the  17th  of  October,  1854, 
and  died  on  the  14th  of  April,  1855. 
George  Penton  was  born  on  the  1 2th  of 
September,  1856,  and  was  married  to  Miss 


WILLIAM  KEXDKICK.  '^ 'j 

Amelia  M.  Downing,  on  the  19th  of  Janu- 
ary, 1880. 

The  many  friends  of  WilHam  Kendrick 
had  seldom  thought  that  one  who  had 
lived  so  well,  and  had  so  much  to  live  for, 
could  with  less  than  one  short  hour  of 
illness,  be  called  away.  They  had  so  long 
sunned  themselves  in  his  smile,  that  the 
future  was  expected  to  be  as  the  past,  if 
not  more  radiant  with  the  briorht  beamings 
of  his  countenance.  Thoup^h  the  shadow 
of  death  had  darkened  his  dwellino-  twice 
within  the  preceding  eight  months,  and 
the  insatiate  grave  had  claimed  the  per- 
fection of  youthful  manhood,  in  the  fair 
forms  of  his  oldest  grandson  and  his  young- 
est son-in-law,  he  was  left,  the  light  of  his 
happy  home,  the  day  star  to  which  the 
eyes  and  hearts  of  his  loved  ones  turned. 
His  cheering  words  and  hopeful  heart, 
soothed  the  sorrows  of  his  widowed 
daughter,  when  she  had  to  lament  the  un- 
timely death  of  her  first  born.  When  his 
youngest  daughter  saw  her  suffering  hus- 
band come  home  to  die,  the  grief  stricken 


78 


MEMOIR  OF 


widow  clasped  her  babe  to  her  bosom,  and 
fondly,  confidently  turned  to  the  dear 
father  by  whom  she  had  so  long  been  ten- 
derly loved  and  cherished.  When  pain 
and  anguish  wrung  the  frame  of  his  long- 
suffering,  patient  wife,  there  was  an  arm  to 
sustain,  a  smile  to  cheer,  and  a  heart  full  of 
time-tried  affection,  that  had  been  lavished 
on  her  for  more  than  half  a  century.  Who 
then  could  have  imagined  that  one  so  nec- 
essary to  the  highest  happiness  of  so  many, 
one  so  loved  of  God  and  man,  should 
suddenly  breathe  his  last,  while  medical 
skill,  and  love's  most  assidious  ministrations 
were  impotent  to  save.  Yet  so  it  was. 
But  as  the  days  of  the  good  man  had  been 
largely  devoted  to  pious  and  philanthropic 
deeds,  so  his  death  was  occasioned  by  one 
of  the  most  remarkable  events  in  the  history 
of  Kentucky,  and  his  very  last  voluntary  act 
was  characteristic  of  the  man.  It  was  a  re- 
ligious visit  to  a  friend  who  was  dangerously 
ill  and  seemed  very  near  his  dying  hour. 

When    the    important    law  suit    of   Mr. 
Green,   against   Judge    Hargis   had    to  be 


/  /  ILLIA  M  KENDRICK. 


79 


tried  in  a  Louisville  Court,  and  decided  by 
a  Louisville  jury,  great  care  was  taken  in 
tlie  selection  of  the  men  from  amono-  whom 
that  jury  was  to  be  drawn.  Of  these 
William  Carnes  Kendrick,  the  oldest  son, 
and  partner  of  the  subject  of  our  memoir 
was  one.  His  confinement  to  the  jury 
room  while  the  case  drasfSfed  its  slow  length 
along,  through  man\^  weary  weeks,  not 
only  subjected  him  to  the  discomforts 
endured  by  other  jurymen,  but  it  seriously 
burdened  his  father  with  much  of  the 
necessary  labor  of  two  persons.  At  the 
same  time  Mr.  W'^illiam  Drysdale,  who  for 
about  a  third  of  a  century  had  filled  a 
most  important  place  in  the  establishment, 
became  seriously  ill,  which  imposed  ad- 
ditional care  and  toil  upon  the  head  of  the 
house.  The  aged  merchant  with  unfalter- 
ing industry,  undertook  to  meet  cheerfully 
all  the  multiplied  demands  upon  his  time 
and  strength.  With  so  much  to  do  his 
movements  were  doubtless  more  rapid,  and 
longer  continued  than  usual,  and  his  labors 
much  more  exhausting  than  was  proper  for 


8o  MEMOIR  OF 


one  of  his  age.  Yet  there  were  no  per- 
ceptible signs  to  indicate  that  he  was 
wearinor  himself  out,  or  exhaustinof  the 
vitality  of  his  well  preserved  constitution. 
The  day  of  his  death  was  one  of  the  most 
active  days  of  his  long,  laborious  life.  He 
attended  to  his  duties  with  elastic  step, 
steady  hand,  beaming  countenance,  spark- 
ling eye,  and  ready  mind,  as  in  the  days 
of  earlier  years.  No  one  suspected  dan- 
ger, or  dreaded  evil  consequences  from  his 
toilsome  exertions.  At  the  close  of  the 
day  he  turned  with  cheerful  heart,  and 
smiling  face,  from  his  prosperous  business, 
to  his  loving  home  circle.  In  the  society 
of  children  and  grand  children,  he  enjoyed 
a  hearty  supper.  Then  without  the  slight- 
est apprehension  of  death,  disease  or 
danger,  his  family  saw  him  start  on  a  long 
walk  to  visit  a  kinsman  who  was  danger- 
ously ill.  With  this  last  fatherly  and 
fraternal  pious  work  performed  he  returned 
to  his  dwelling  at  about  half  past  nine 
-o'clock.  On  his  way  home  he  began  to 
feel  severe  pains  in  both  arms,  and  also  in 


WILLIAM    KENDRICK.  8 1 

the  region  of  the  stomach  and  heart.  An 
emetic  was  taken,  but  it  gave  no  reHef.  His 
sufferings  rapidly  became  more  excruciating. 
There  was  no  time  to  secure  the  services  of 
the  family  physician,  Dr.  Garvin,  his  son-in- 
law.  Dr.  Holloway  being  called,  kindly 
hastened  to  the  bedside  of  the  sufferer. 
But  the  case  had  passed  beyond  the  reach 
of  medical  skill.  At  twenty  minutes  past 
ten  o'clock,  he  became  suddenly  convulsed, 
his  pulse  ceased  to  beat,  he  breathed  his 
last  breath,  all  pain  was  ended,  ceaseless 
joys  began.  It  is  doubtful  whether  the 
death  of  any  one  man  was  ever  more  sin- 
cerely lamented.  Of  this  much  might  be 
written,  but  it  is  unnecessary  here  as  the 
Appendix  to  this  volume  will  speak  on  this 
subject  most  eloquently  and  forcibly. 


Died,  at  his  residence  on  Broadway,  near 
Sixth  Street,  in  the  City  of  Louisville, 
at  twenty  minutes  past  ten  o'clock,  on 
the  night  of  the  i6th  of  March,  1880,  of 
Angina  Pectoris,  William  Kendrick,  aged 
seventy  years,  one  month  and  five  days. 


' '  He  taught  us  how  to  live,  And  Oh  too  high 
A  price  for  knowledge,  taught  us  how  to  die." 


%^ffcmUx. 


^ 


[Courier-Journal,  March  17,  18S0.] 

JFHE  announcement  of  the  sudden  death  last  night 
of  Mr.  William  Kendrick,  will  be  a  shock  to 
the  city.  He  was  one  of  the  purest  and  best  of  men, 
and  one  of  our  most  useful,  public-spirited  and  val- 
uable citizens.  His  death  is,  indeed,  a  severe  [niblic 
loss.  He  was  one  of  those  manly,  old-fashioned 
gentlemen  whom  it  does  one  good  to  see  now-a-days. 
There  was  a  courtesy  about  him  suggestive  of  the 
olden  time.  Though  modest  by  nature,  Mr.Kendrick 
was  a  public-spirited  citizen,  and  when  occasion  arose 
he  was  outspoken  and  firm  in  upholding  the  best  in- 
terests of  the  city.  He  afforded  a  splendid  example 
of  moral  purity. 

The  death  of  such  an  upright  gentleman  and  con- 
sistent member  of  the  church  will  be  the  occasion  of 
general  sorrow.  Many  a  poor  fellow  in  this  city  can 
testify  to  his  charity;  many  a  sad  heart  will  beat  to- 
day in  remembrance  of  some  unostentatious  kind- 
ness. A  kindlier,  gentler  spirit  never  lived,  and  the 
memory  of  so  pure  a  life  is  the  best  consolation  for 
his  death. 


84  APPENDIX. 


[Evening  Post  and  News,  March  17,  1880.] 

Mr.  William  Kendrick,  the  well-known  jeweler, 
died  very  suddenly  last  night,  at  his  residence  on 
Broadway,  between  Fifth  and  Sixth.  After  returning 
home  from  business  yesterday  evening  he  ate  a  hearty 
supper,  seemingly  in  the  best  of  health,  and  then 
went  out  to  visit  Mr.  Wm.  Drysdale,*an  employe  of 
his  who  has  been  ill.  About  half-past  nine  Mr.  Ken- 
drick came  home,  complaining  of  a  severe  pain  in 
the  chest  and  around  the  heart.  A  dose  of  medicine 
which  he  took  affording  no  relief,  Dr.  HoUoway  was 
sent  for,  but  he  had  passed  beyond  the  power  of  med- 
ical skill,  and  continued  to  grow  worse  until  about 
half-past  ten,  when  he  expired  in  a  convulsion. 

Mr.  Kendrick  had  not  been  ill  recently,  excepting 
slight  symptoms  of  dyspepsia,  and  his  death  was  en- 
tirely unexpected.  Some  of  his  children  did  not 
know  of  his  sickness,  until  they  were  notified  of  his 
death.  The.  malady  which  carried  him  off  so  sud- 
denly is  the  terrible  complaint  known  as  angina  pecto- 
ris, a  sort  of  spasm  of  the  heart,  the  same  disease 
that  carried  off  Judge  Ballard. 

Mr.  Kendrick  was  a  native  of  Patterson,  N.  J., 
where  he  was  born  in  1810,  being  seventy  years  of 
age  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  came  to  Louisville 
in  18 18,  and  after  living  for  sometime  on  a  farm  near 
here,  in  1824  he  became  an  apprentice  to  E.  C.  Beard, 
jeweler  and  watchmaker.  In  1832  his  savings  a- 
mounted  to  enough  to  enable  him  to  engage  in  bus- 
iness for  himself  in  partnership  with  Mr.   James  I. 

■■■Since  deceased. 


APPENDIX.  85 


T-cmoii,  under  the  firm  name  of  Lemon  &  Kendrick. 
In  the  great  crisis  of  1838  the  house  went  under,  li 
was  a  course  of  action  characteristic  of  the  man  that 
by  industrious  and  untiring  efforts  he  paid  off  his 
entire  indebtedness,  although  relieved  of  it  by  a  dis- 
charge in  bankruptcy. 

In  1842  Mr.  Kendrick  commenced  business  for 
himself,  and  has  been  a  prosperous  merchant  ever 
since,  his  establishment  being  considered  one  of  the 
most  reliable  in  the  city.  He  has  always  been  a 
public-spirited  man,  and  has  served  several  terms 
in  the  School  Board  and  City  Council.  At  the  time 
of  his  death  he  was  a  director  of  the  Blind  Asylum 
and  also  of  the  Widows'  and  Orphans'  Home.  Had 
it  not  been  for  his  retiring  habits  he  could  have  ob- 
tained nearly  any  office  that  he  might  have  asked  at 
the  hands  of  the  people. 

He  was  a  life-long  member  of  the  Chestnut  Street 
Methodist  Church.  In  1832  he  married  Miss  Maria 
Schwing,  who  survives  him.  He  leaves  seven  chil- 
dren— five  daughters  and  two  sons — and  an  only  sis- 
ter, Mrs.  Wm.  Kaye,  all  of  whom  reside  in  this  city. 

As  to  Mr.  Kendrick's  character  as  a  citizen,  as  a 
merchant  and  as  a  man,  it  is  too  well  known  to  need 
extended  mention.  His  strict  honesty  and  integrity 
in  business,  his  kind  and  friendly  nature,  his  constant 
benevolence  and  his  great  moral  activity  in  matters 
of  education,  morality  and  religion,  all  tended  to 
make  him  a  man  esteemed  by  all,  and  without  an  en- 
emy in  the  world.      He  was  a  respected  citizen,  an 


86  APPENDIX. 


enterprising  business  man,  a  refined  gentleman,  a 
loving  husband  and  father,  and  an  upright  Christian, 
who  died  without  fear,  as  he  lived  above  reproach. 

The  news  of  Mr.  Kendrick's  sudden  death  caused 
the  greatest  pain  among  his  many  friends,  and  this 
morning  his  late  home  was  crowded  by  those  who 
had  come  to  take  a  last  look  at  his  famiUar  features  and 
to  express  their  sympathy  for  the  members  of  his 
family  in  their  great  sorrow.  The  funeral  will  take 
place  to-morrow  at  10:30  o'clock  from  the  residence. 
The  remains  will  be  buried  in  Cave  Hill  Cemetery. 

The  Mayor  has  called  a  special  meeting  of  the 
Council  to-night  to  take  action  on  the  death  of  Mr. 
Kendrick.  He  has  further  directed  that  the  flag  on 
the  City  Hall  building  be  displayed  at  half-mast  to- 
morrow, and  that  the  fire  bells  be  tolled. 


The  theme  to-day  among  all  classes  of  people  has 
been  the  sudden  death  of  Mr.  William  Kendrick, 
and  admiration  for  his  character  has  been  the  burden 
of  everything  said.  Such  a  life  as  his  was,  is  a  silent 
power  for  good  in  any  community.  It  is  a  constant 
present  example  that  in  the  highest  sense  of  honor 
and  the  strictest  practice  of  itiies  the  most  complete  en- 
joyment of  one's  own  life,  as  well  as  the  surest  plan  for 
success  in  business.  Gentle  to  all,  loving  in  his  fam- 
ily, affable,  polite,  firm  and  unyielding  for  the  right 
that  he  saw  so  plainly,  Mr.  Kendrick  at  home  led  a 
life  of  happiness,  and  in  the  world  of  business  had 


APPENDIX. 


«7 


not  an  enemy.  His  was  a  beautiful  life  as  well  as  a 
successful  one,  and  in  his  death  we  all  mourn  the  loss 
of  one  of  our  best  citizens. 


Mr.  W.  C.  Kendrick,  eldest  son  of  the  late  William 
Kendrick,  is  a  juror  in  the  Green-Hargis  case,  and 
on  account  of  his  father's  sudden  death  the  great  libel 
suit  has  been  postponed  until  next  Monday  at  12  m. 

ACTION    OF    THE    TWO    BOARDS    DEVOTED    TO    THE 

INTERESTS    OF    THE    BLIND. 

[Courier-Journal,  March  i8,  1880.] 

The  funeral  of  the  late  Wm.  Kendrick  will  take 
place  this  morning  at  ten  o'clock  from  the  family 
residence.  His  sudden  death  was  the  subject  of 
general  and  outspoken  regret  yesterday.  Mr.  Ken 
drick  was  so  widely  known  as  a  man  of  almost  ideal 
integrity  and  honesty,  that  he  was  exceedingly  beloved 
by  all  classes.  The  jewelers  of  the  city  held  a  meeting 
yester<lay,  and  it  was  agreed  to  close  all  their  stores 
this  morning  at  ten  to  attend  the  funeral  of  the 
deceased.  They  will  meet  at  the  store  of  C.  F. 
Bennett,  and  attend  in  a  body. 

The  members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Blind 
School  and  of  the  Board^f  Trustees  of  the  American 
Printing  House  for  the  Blind  held  a  meeting  yesterday 
and  adopted  the  following  : 

In  the  death  of  Mr.  Kendrick  these  boards  have 
lost  one  of  their  most  worthy  and  righteous  members. 
The  "memory  of  the  good  is  the  best  monument. 


88  APPENDIX. 


Others  are  subject  to  casualty  or  time :  we  know  that 
the  pyramids  themselves,  dotted  with  age,  have  for- 
gotten the  names  of  their  founders."  Mr.  Kendrick 
has  been  before  this  community  more  than  fifty  years, 
and  all  his  ways  have  been  well  known  to  his  fellow- 
citizens.  Of  all  the  men  we  have  known,  he  was  one 
of  the  most  lovable ;  he  attracted  by  the  beauty  of  a 
life  that  was  well-nigh  perfect  in  all  its  ways.  It  was 
well  said  in  ancient  times  that  "  the  path  of  the  just 
is  as  a  shining  light,"  and  in  no  one  was  this  ever 
more  exemplified  than  in  the  life  of  Mr.  Kendrick. 
He  was  quiet,  unostentatious,  but  firm  and  manly  in 
all  things.  If  at  any  time  we  felt  dubious  about  the 
righteousness  of  our  acts,  in  the  management  of 
affairs  for  the  blind,  we  felt  strengthened  and  sustained 
when  these  acts  met  the  approval  of  Mr.  Kendrick. 
We  look  back  through  the  many  years  of  his  mem- 
bership of  these  boards :  there  were  times  of  trial  and 
perplexity,  but  we  refresh  our  memories  by  recall- 
ing his  good  deeds,  his  wise  counsels,  his  judicious 
advice,  in  following  which  we  were  never  misled. 
AVhere  may  we  hope  to  find  his  counterpart. 

As  he  was  in  these  boards,  he  was  in  all  the  ways 
of  his  life.  He  w\as  very  attentive  to  the  demands  of 
his  growing  business:  no  pne  excelled  him  in  his 
constant,  earnest  industry  and  devotion  to  his 
vocation ;  yet  when  its  cares  were  ended  for  the  day, 
and  the  affairs  of  his  family  permitted,  there  were 
avocations  for  the  distressed,  the  sorrowful  and  the 
weary   that  awakened   his  evening  labors,    and  he 


APFENDIX.  89 


never  was  found  wanting  in  these  labors.  It  is  im- 
possible to  describe  in  appropriate  terms  the  beauty 
of  these  evening  efforts ;  when  Ave  call  them  up  and 
look  at  them  in  their  fullness,  it  is  difficult  to  conceive 
that  they  could  have  been  so  regularly,  so  thoroughly, 
so  uncom])lainingly  performed  by  one  who  labored 
unceasingly  throughout  the  day.  He  labored  thus, 
in  these  works  of  beneficence,  in  the  very  imagery  of 
that  Greek  statuary,  which  expressed  these  things  by 
a  figure  holding  the  plow  with  one  hand,  while  the 
other  was  lifted  toward  heaven,  or  rather,  as  Da\  ics 
says:  "Under  the  influence  of  that  spirit,  for  whom 
we  are  taught  to  pray,  after  whom  we  are  required  to 
Avalk,  whose  influence  we  are  commanded  not  to 
quench, and  whom  we  are  not  to  grieve."  He  worked 
in  these  matters,  under  the  full  beams  of  that  heavenly 
light  showered  upon  us  by  the  Apostle  Paul :  "Work, 
for  it  is  Ciod  that  worketh  in  you."  Yet  this  noble 
specimen  of  humanity  had  an  immense  business  of 
his  own,  that  required  his  attention;  he  had  a  large 
family  that  was  a  source  of  constant,  earnest  solici- 
tude; he  never  failed  in  his  duties  as  a  citizen,  and 
with  all  these  pressing  upon  him,  he  managed  to 
perform  almost  an  unexampled  amount  of  beneficence 
to  hundreds  of  the  sorrowing  and  the  necessitous. 
We  earnestly  rejoice  that  we  had  such  a  man  as  this 
upon  our  boards  for  the  benefit  of  the  blind.  Though 
he  is  no  longer  with  us,  we  shall  gratifyingly  cultivate 
the  living  memories  he  has  bequeathed  to  these  two 
boards. 


90 


APPENDIX. 


To  the  mass  of  the  present  generation  Mr.  Ken- 
drick  was  known  as  a  prosperous,  very  successful 
business  man.  To  a  very  few  of  these  now  present 
he  was  intimately  known  in  his  days  of  adversity,  and 
a  glimpse  at  those  days  enables  us  to  see  him  in  the 
fullness  of  a  noble  example.  In  that  time  of  adversity 
he  was  the  same  cheerful,  patient,  notable  man  then, 
throughout  all  the  wearying  journey  up  hill  that  we 
have  known  him  in  his  jxosperity.  He  labored  with 
zeal,  with  industry,  and  fortunately  with  success. 
Upon  one  great  point  he  kept  a  firm,  unwavering 
eye  :  that  was  a  determination  to  blot  out  from  the 
memory  of  111  men,  all  recollection  of  his  failure.  It 
was  not  as  vivid  in  any  man's  memory  as  in  his  own. 
When  by  patient  labor,  strict  economy  and  industry 
he  gathered  enough  for  the  occasion  he  called  upon 
his  creditors  in  New  York,  and  tendered  to  them  the 
remainder  of  his  old  indebtedness,  with  the  full 
amount  of  interest  due.  They  declined  to  take  it, 
assuring  him  that  they  were  satisfied  he  had  done  all 
in  his  power  in  the  former  settlement.  But  he  insis- 
ted upon  this  payment.  The  creditors  accepted  his 
terms  ;  they  presented  him  a  beautiful  silver  service, 
on  the  pitcher  of  which  they  caused  to  be  engraved : 
"An  honest  man  is  the  noblest  work  of  God,"  We 
never  were  in  his  presence,  we  never  had  anything 
to  do  with  him,  without  feeling  this  sentiment. 

Mr.  Kendrick  leaves  a  widow,  dreadfully  afflicted 
v/ith  spinal  disease;  two  sons  and  five  daughters,  all  of 
whom  have  married;  two  of  the  daughters  are  widows. 


APPENDIX. 


91 


In  view  of  the  heartrending  catastrophe  that  has 
befallen  the  city,  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
South,  the  two  Boards  devoted  to  the  education  of 
the  blind,  the  Methodist  and  tlie  Masonic  Widows' 
and  Orphans'  Homes,  we  feel  tlie  difficulty  of  doing 
justice  to  such  a  theme  as  this. 

Resolved^  That  we  deeply  deplore  the  great  loss  the 
education  of  the  bhnd  has  received  in  the  death  of 
such  an  earnest  friend  as  Mr.  Kendrick  was. 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  to  his  bereaved  family 
our  heartfelt  sympathies  in  the  calamity  that  has 
befallen  them. 

Resolved,  That  a  siiitable  likeness  of  Mr.  Kendrick 
be  procured,  to  be  placed  in  the  institution  for  the 
Blind  as  a  memorial  of  his  services  to  the  cause 
which  we  regard,  and  he  ever  regarded,  as  a  sacred 
cause  ;  and  that  these  proceedings  be  engrossed  and 
hung  with  the  portrait. 

Resolved,  That,  as  a  body,  we  attend  the  funeral 
of  Mr.  Kendrick,  and  join  in  paying  our  respects  to 
his  mortal  remains. 

Resolved,  That  these  proceedings  be  placed  on  the 
records  of  the  two  institutions  devoted  to  the 
interests   of   the    blind. 

Resolved,  That  these  proceedings  be  published  in 
the  city  papers.  T.  S.  Bell, 

President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  for  the  Blind  School. 

Wm.  F.  Bullock, 

President  of   the  Board  of  Trustees  of   the  American 
Printing-house  for   the    Blind. 

T.  L.  Jeffeuson,  Walter  N.  Halueman, 

James  Harrison,  Henry  J.  Stites, 

James  A.  Carter,  John  P.  Morton, 

Gavin  H.Cochran,  J.  G.  Barret. 
B.  B.  Huntoon,  Secretary. 


92 


APPENDIX. 


ACTION    OF    THE    COUNCIL. 


The  Council  met  in  joint  special  session  last  night 
to  take  action  on  the  death  of  Wm.  Ke*ndrick. 

President  Gilbert,  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen, 
called  the  meeting  to  order. 

The  following  members  were  present:  Aldermen — 
Griffiths,  Murrell,  Godshaw,  Roberts  and  Stucky. 
Councilmen — President  Joseph,  Speckert,  Sullivan, 
R.  C.  Davis,  Ullman,  Kean,  McAtee,  Long,  Harris. 
Erdman  and  Wahking. 

The  following  message  was  received  from  His 
Honor,  the  Mayor : 

I  have  called  you  together  this  evening  to  announce 
the  sudden  death  of  Wm.  Kendrick,  Esq.,  one  of  our 
most  admirable  citizens:  a  man  without  reproach,  of 
strict  integrity  and  an  honest  gentleman.  Mr.  Ken- 
drick was  a  member  of  your  honorable  body  in 
1863-4.  In  his  death  our  community  has  been 
deprived  of  one  of  its  most  useful  citizens. 

Respectfully,     John  G.  Baxter,  Mayor. 

After  the  reading  of  the  Mayor's  message,  Mr. 
Long  offered  the  following  resolutions,  which  were 
unanimously  adopted : 

Whereas,  The  general  Council  has  been  informed 
of  the  sudden  death  of  Wm.  Kendrick,  Esq.,  a 
member  of  said  body  in  1863-4,  and  desiring  to 
express  the  sorrow  with  which  said  sad  intelligence 
has  affected  us,  therefore. 

Be  it  resolved,  That  in  the  demise  of  Wm.  Kendrick 
the  city  of  Louisville  has  lost  one  of  her  most  useful 
citizens,   a  gentleman  of    probity   and   well-known, 


ATTEND  J X. 


93 


honest  and  charitable,  both  in  deed  and  thought, 
ever  ready. to  perform  all  his  duties  as  a  good  citizen 
in  whatever  capacity  he  was  called  to  fill,  and  was 
pre-eminent  for  all  those  characteristics  which  marked 
the  true  and  noble  gentleman. 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  to  the  bereaved  family 
our  heartfelt  sympathy  in  this  hour  of  affliction  and 
mourning,  and  that  the  General  Council,  as  an  addi- 
tional evidence  of  their  respects  for  deceased,  do  at- 
tend his  funeral. 

Resolved,  That  an  official  copy  of  these  resolutions 
be  transmitted  to  the  family  of  the  deceased. 

The  meeting  then  adjourned. 


THE    BOARD    OF    TRADE. 

In  the  Board  of  Trade  to  day  the  following  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  report  to-morrow  suitable 
resolutions  on  the  death  of  Mr.  Kendrick :  George 
W.  Morris,  B.  F.  Avery,  Arthur  Peter,  N.  Bloom, 
R.  A.  Robinson,  W.  B.  Belknap,  Charles  Tilden,  F. 
P.  Schmitt,  J.  L.  Wheat,  B.  P.  Scally. 


IN    MEMORY    OF    WM.    KENDRICK. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  jewelers  and  watchmakers  of 
the  city  of  Louisville,  held 'March  i8,  1880,  C. 
Fletcher  Bennett,  President  of  the  Jewelers'  Associa- 
tion, was  in  the  chair,  and  Henry  L.  Werne,  acted  as 
Secretary. 

The  President  announced  the  death  of  Mr.  Wm. 
Kendrick.  Whereupon  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  draft  apppropriate  resolutions,  and  the  following 
were  unanimously  adopted  : 


94 


APPENDIX. 


Whereas,  On  the  i6th  day  of  March,  1880,  death 
came  into  our  circle  of  friends,  and  when  least  looked 
for,  took  away  from  us  our  associate  Wm.  Kendrick, 
therefore, 

Resolved,  That  in  his  death  our  association  has  lost 
one  whom  we  love  to  remember  in  kindness  and  to 
honor  for  his  integrity  of  character,  one  who  having 
that  conscience  bearing  witness  of  a  life  well  lived — 
that  record  in  his  memory  of  a  multitude  of  good  ac- 
tions done,  which  is  a  rich  legacy  not  only  to  his 
bereaved  family,  but  also  to  his  friends  and  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  lived ;  for  he  was  well  and  hon- 
orably known  to  all.  "  Death  is  not  terrible  to  those 
whose  praise  can  never  die." 

Resolved,  That  we  close  our  places  of  business  and 
attend  the  funeral  in  a  body,  and  that  we  tender  to 
his  bereaved  family  our  deep  sympathy  and  condo- 
lence in  their  affliction. 

Resolved,  That  after  these  resolutions  have  received 
the  signatures  of  the  members  of  this  Association,  a 
copy  be  sent  to  the  family  of  the  deceased. 

Chas.  F.  Carpenter,  ~| 

Joe  Werne,  \  Committee. 

Levi  Sloss,  ) 

C.   Fletcher  Benneft,    President. 

H.  S.  Werne,  Secretary. 

The  names  of  all  the  jewelers  and  watchmakers  in 
the  city  were  appended  to  the  above. 


the  first  death  in  the  board  of  trade. 

[Evening  Post  and  News,  March  i8,  1880.J 

In  the  Board  of  Trade  to-day  the  following  papers 
were  read  and  the  resolutions  unanimously  adopted : 


APPENDIX. 


95 


Louisville,  March  19,  1880. 

To  the  Board  of  Trade  : 

The  undersigned,  appointed  to  prepare  suitable 
resolutions  on  the  death  of  Wm.  Kendrick,  and  re- 
port the  same  at  the  meeting  to-day,  respectfully  sub- 
mit the  following : 

George  W.  Morris,  Chairman,  R.  A.  Robinson, 
Charles  Tilden,  N.  Bloom,  Arthur  Peter,  W.  B. 
Belknap,  B.  F.  Avery,  J.  L.  Wheat,  B.  P.  Scally, 
F.  P.  Schmitt. 

Whereas,  It  has  pleased  Almighty  God  to  remove 
from  among  us  in  a  manner  so  sudden  and  unexpect- 
ed, Wm.  Kendrick,  who  from  his  boyhood  has 
dwelt  among  us,  and  in  whom  our  citizens  took  an 
universal  interest,  he  having  possessed  in  an  eminent 
degree  those  qualities  of  head  and  heart  that  endeared 
him  to  all  who  came  within  the  sphere  of  his  influ- 
ence, and 

^VHEREAS,  It  is  proper  that  the  Board  of  Trade 
should  perpetuate  the  name  of  one  so  dear  to  all,  and 
to  whom  the  city  is  so  much  indebted  for  an  example 
worthy  of  imitation,  be  it  therefore 

Resolved,  That  in  the  death  of  William  Kendrick 
the  City  of  Louisville  has  lost  one  of  its  brightest  and 
most  cherished  ornaments,  society  has  lost  a  gentle- 
man by  nature  possessed  of  those  qualities  which 
adorn  human  character.  His  pure  life  and  noble 
example  furnish  to  the  young  men  of  our  day  an  al- 
most faultless  mould  of  that  which  is  good  and  great 
in  human  life ;  the  poor  whom  we  always  have  among 
us,  are  bereft  of  a  friend  indeed;  the  church  to  which 
he  belonged,  of  an  humble,  devoted  and  consistent 
member,  who  constantly  let  his  light  shine  before  his 


96  APPENDIX. 


fellowmen ;  his  family  a  devoted  husband,  a  loving 
father,  a  kind  benefactor;  and  the  Board  of  Trade 
one  of  its  most  highly  prized  members,  whose  name 
will  dwell  greenly  in  our  memories  and  affections. 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  to  the  bereaved  family 
of  our  deceased  friend  our  heartfelt  sympathy  in 
this  hour  of  their   sore  affliction. 

Resolved,  That  these  proceedings  be  entered  on 
record  and  a  copy  of  the  same  transmitted  to  the 
family  of  the  deceased. 


THE    FUNERAL. 

The  funeral  of  Mr.  William  Kendrick  took  place 
at  half-past  lo  o'clock  this  morning.  In  accordance 
with  the  wishes  of  the  family  the  services  were  held 
at  his  late  residence,  on  Broadway,  between  Fifth 
and  Sixth.  The  house  was  thronged  by  the  friends 
of  the  deceased  come  to  pay  the  last  tribute  to  his 
mortal  remains.  There  was  a  profusion  of  flowers 
whose  beauty  was  a  fitting  emblem  of  the  character 
of  the  departed.  The  regular  funeral  service  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  performed,  the  Rev. 
J.  C.  iVIorris  officiating.  After  the  brief  ceremonies 
were  over,  the  long  procession  wound  its  way  to  Cave 
Hill  Cemetery,  where  the  remains  were  buried. 

MEMORIAL   SERVICE. 

No  sermon  was  preached  at  the  funeral  this  morn- 
ing, but  on  next  Sunday  morning,  at  the  Chestnut 
street  Methodist  Church,  there  will  be  a  memorial 
service  in  honor  of  the  deceased.     At  this   meeting 


APPENDIX. 


97 


a  number  of  former  pastors  of  this  church,  witli 
uhicli  Mr.  Kendrick  has  been  so  long  connected, 
will  be  present,  among  them  Revs.  Brush  and  Messick, 
of  this  city,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Bottomley,  of  Hopkins- 
ville.  The  regular  funeral  discourse  will  be  preached 
upon  this  occasion.  The  loss  which  the  Chestnut  street 
Church  sustains  is  an  irreparable  one.  Mr.  Kendrick 
at  the  time  of  his  death,  was  Sunday-school  Superin- 
tendent, Church  Treasurer,  Trustee  and  Steward, 
thus  holding  every  church  office  possible  for  a  layman. 


THE    SUNDAY    SCHOOL    UNION. 

Very  recently  Mr.  Kendrick  was  elected  President 
of  the  Methodist  Sunday-school  Union  of  this  ( ity. 
That  Society  will  hold  its  regular  meeting  to-night 
at  the  Walnut-street  Methodist  Church,  and  the  meet- 
ing will  take  the  character  of  a  memorial  service,  in 
view  of  the  death  of  their  President. 


John  P.  Morton  &  Co.'s  establishment  was  closed 
yesterday  on  account  of  the  death  of  Mr.  William 
Kendrick. 


OUR    PUREST    CITIZEN. 
[Courier-Journal,  March  22,  1880.] 

The  love  and  admiration  entertained  by  the  com- 
munity at  large  for  the  late  ^Villiam  Kendrick,  and 
the  deep  sense  of  its  loss  in  his  death,  were  most 
strongly  attested  yesterday  in  the  two  memorial  ser- 
vices in  his  memory.     In  the  morning  a  service  was 


98  APPENDIX. 

held  at  the  Chestnut-street  Methodist  Church,  of 
which  Mr.  Kendrick  was  a  member.  The  church 
was  elaborately  draped  in  mourning;  in  the  recess 
behind  the  pulpit,  the  Scripture  motto,  "  He  being 
dead,  yet  speaketh,"  was  hung  in  letters  of  evergreen. 
The  house  was  filled  to  its  utmost  capacity  by  the 
congregation  and  the  old  friends  of  Mr.  Kendrick. 
Short  addresses  were  delivered  by  Rev.  Messrs.  G. 
W.  Brush,  Thomas  Bottomley  and  B.  M.  Messick, 
all  of  whom  had  formerly  been  pastors  of  the  church. 
A  short  and  informal  service  was  also  held  at  the 
Sunday-school  in  order  to  give  the  children  an  op- 
portunity to  join  in  the  tender  expression  of  love  for 
the  deceased  friend  of  whom  they  had  been  so  fond, 
and  who  had  been  such  a  faithful  guide  to  their  little 
efforts.  The  service  was  very  touching ;  all  the  more 
so,  perhaps,  for  its  informality. 

The  Citizens'  Memorial  Service  was  held  at  the 
Broadway  Tabernacle  at  3:30  o'clock  P.  M.  The 
large  house  was  filled  from  bottom  to  top  by  all  classes 
and  conditions  of  men,  women  and  children. 

The  order  of  the  exercises  was  as  follows  : 

Voluntary  by  the  organ,  followed  by  singing  "  Rest 
in  the  Lord." 

Opening  remarks  by  Hon.  Wm.  F.  Bullock,  pre- 
siding. 

Scripture  Lesson,  read  by  Rev.  Mr.  Brush. 

Prayer  by  Rev.  Mr.  Deering. 

Chant,  by  the  choir. 

Address,  by  Rev.  Jas.  Craik,  D.  D. 


APPENDIX.  99 


Address,  by  Rev.  E.  P.  Humphrey,  D.  D. 

Singing  of  "  Come  ye  Disconsolate,"  by  the  bHnd. 

Addresses,  by  Dr.  T.S.Bell  and  Rev.  J.L.  Burrows. 

Hymn,  "  Nearer  My  God  to  Th^e." 

Doxology. 

Benediction,  by  Bishop  T.  U.  Dudley. 

Judge  Bullock  spoke  very  feelingly.  He  said  that 
he  had  lived  beyond  the  period  usually  allotted  to 
men  ;  that  this  was  the  first  occasion  on  which  he  had 
witnessed  such  a  spectacle.  In  view  of  the  purposes 
of  the  meeting,  he  said  he  was  o[)pressed  with  his 
own  unworthiness  to  preside.  He  spoke  of  his  long 
acquaintance  with  Mr.  Kendrick — nearly  half  a  cen- 
tury— and  of  how  he  had  been  intimately  associated 
with  him  in  his  work  of  charity  and  benevolence. 
He  said  that  of  a  truth,  when  in  his  company,  he  al- 
ways felt  that  he  was  in  the  presence  of  a  beloved 
disciple.  He  was  a  living  episde  of  the  Gospel  of 
Christ.  In  the  various  societies  to  which  he  belong- 
ed he  was  a  light  read  of  all  men.  In  the  life  of  Wm. 
Kendrick  Louisville  found  one  of  its  greatest  honors 
and  glories.  No  achievements  in  a  public  capacity 
could  add  to  his  stature.  He  was  an  unassuming 
private  citizen,  whose  example  should  be  constantly 
before  the  eyes  of  our  people;  particularly  should 
the  rising  generation  look  to  him  as  to  one  whose 
self-made  position  pointed  them  the  road  they  were 
to  follow. 

Rev.  James  Craik  said  although  painfully  feeling 
that  after  the  usual  three  score  years  and  ten  had 


I OO  APPENDIX. 


passed,  man's  life  was  but  a  labor  and  an  effort,  yet 
he  could  not  permit  the  opportunity  to  pass  by  which 
he  might  testify  to  the  noble  Christian  manliness  of 
William  Kendrick.  The  testimony  of  any  individ- 
ual was  set  at  naught  by  that  of  the  immense  throng 
that  had  gathered  to  do  honor  to  the  deceased.  Dr. 
Craik  said  he  had  come  to  Louisville  thirty-six  years 
ago  and  found  this  young  man  with  his  reputation 
already  established  as  pre-eminently  a  good  man,  an 
ornament  to  human  kind  in  all  things.  It  was  a 
minister's  duty  to  preach  the  gospel,  Mr.  Kendrick 
had  lived  it.  There  was  no  necessity  for  any  com- 
ment, no  passage  had  to  be  explained.  His  Hfe  was 
an  exposition  of  the  Christ-like  character  of  man, 
and  in  it  no  objector  could  find  a  fault.  His  life 
was  a  Christ-likeness,  and  the  death  was  in  the  same 
manner.  He  had  left  home  on  a  mission  of  charity, 
and  it  was  on  his  return  from  his  Master's  work  that 
he  received  his  Master's  call. 

Rev.  Dr.  Humphrey  spoke  more  at  length  than 
did  the  rest,  and  with  very  great  feeling  and  effect. 
He  spoke  of  the  spectacle  before  him  as  one  most 
unusual.  He  did  not  know  that  such  tribute  had 
ever  before  been  paid  to  any  man  in  Louisville.  Mr. 
Kendrick's  funeral  had  occurred  last  week;  yesterday 
a  memorial  service  had  been  held  in  the  morning  at 
the  church  of  which  Mr.  Kendrick  was  a  member. 
Under  ordinary  circumstances  it  should  seem  that 
one  service  was  enough  to  satisfy  the  respect  for  a 
departed  friend.     But   the  citizens  of   Louisville  de- 


APPENDIX.  I  o  I 


sired  an  opportunity  of  meeting  in  the  mass  to  med- 
itate on  the  excellence  of  their  deceased  friend. 
Here  was  a  great  crowd  of  witnesses,  who,  having 
observed  his  manner  of  life  day  by  day,  had  gather- 
ed together  to  testify  to  their  admiration  and  love  of 
William  Kendrick.  He  was  a  man  who  had  never 
been  prominent  on  account  of  any  high  office  of 
])ul)lic  trust  in  the  Commonwealth.  His  highest 
office  was  that  of  a  steward  to  the  Lord.  He  had 
never  been  distinguished  by  literary  attainments,  or 
even  by  great  wealth  ;  he  had  nwved  in  the  quiet 
walks  of  life,  prominent  only  as  a  perfect  man. 

His  example  to  the  young  was  a  thing  that  should 
be  firmly  impressed  and  indelibly  fixed  upon  their 
minds.  The  oldest  citizens  of  Louisville  will  remem- 
ber the  name  of  E.  C.  Beard,  a  jeweler  on  Main 
street.  Mr.  Beard  was  formerly  of  the  firm  of  Ay  res 
&  Beard.  Forty-five  years  ago  the  firm  consisted  of 
Beard  &:  Fletcher.  About  the  same  time  a  boy, 
William  Kendrick,  came  to  this  city  from  New  Jer- 
sey. He  went  as  an  apprentice  into  the  establish- 
ment of  E.  C.  Beard.  There  in  his  humble  position 
this  boy  was  an  example  to  mankind.  After  serving 
his  apprenticeship  and  acting  as  a  journeyman,  young 
Kendrick  was  joined  in  business  by  Mr.  Lemon,  of 
Lexington.  The  latter  was  a  silversmith,  while 
Kendrick  had  great  skill  as  a  watchmaker.  Ken- 
drick &  Lemon  were  worthy  the  confidence  of  each 
other,  and  of  the  public.  People  that  dealt  with  them 
knew  that  they  were  dealing  with  honest  men,  whose 


102  APPENDIX. 

word  was  as  good  as  their  bond.   Their  trade  flourished; 
but,  in  one  of  those  business  panics  that  swept  the  coun- 
try, the  firm  failed.     Dr.  Humphrey  said  he  well  re- 
membered the  distress  that  prevailed  when  it  was  an- 
nounced that  Lemon  &  Kendrick  had  failed.     They 
were  obliged  to  compound  their  debts,  and  the  mer- 
chants to  whom  they   owed  money  had  such  confi- 
dence in  their  honesty  that  they   received,  without 
hesitation,    their    proposition    to    compound.      After 
this  the  two  gendemen  thought  it  best  to  separate, 
and  to  begin  business  again.     They  agreed,  however, 
to  work  diligendy  and  to  live  frugally  till  they  could 
pay   the   principal  and  interest   of  the    money  they 
owed,  not  by  men's  laws  but  by  conscience.      First, 
Kendrick  and  then  Lemon  paid  the  debt,  every  dollar 
of  it.       All    honor   to   the    long-forgotten    name  of 
Lemon '&  Kendrick,  and  all  honor  to  the  hallowed 
memories  of  both  of  them,  for  Lemon,  too,  is  gone. 
These  are  the  examples  well  for  every  young  man 
to  imitate.      Behold   both:    "■  Ecce   Signum."      Mr. 
Kendrick  has  acquired  the  love  of  this  community 
first  of  all  through  honesty ;  then  by  industry,  being 
always  engaged  in  his  lawful  avocations.     Not  least 
to  be  considered  were  his  amiable  manners  and  con- 
duct; we  saw  him   seldom,   but  to  meet  him  was  a 
pleasure.     He  showed  himself  a   Christian,  and  one 
never  saw  him  without  feeling  that.     His  example  is 
one  particularly  to  be  imitated,  and  his  memory  to  be 
cherished  by  the  young  who  are  laboring  for  a  place 
in  the  world  :  whose  life  is  one  of  toil. 


APPENDIX.  1 03 


Dr.  Humphrey  said  that  the  citizens  of  Louisville 
were  doing  an  honor  to  themselves  in  thus  meeting 
to  honor  the  man  who  had  sunk  suddenly  out  of 
sight  like  the  winter's  sun,  but  leaving  behind  him 
the  radiance  of  a  summer's  day. 

Dr.  T.  S.  Bell  said  that  he  had  been  requested  to 
take  part  in  the  exercises,  partly  on  account  of  his 
long  and  intimate  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Kendrick, 
but  chiefly  to  testify  to  his  great  work  in  the  first  of 
Kentucky's  charitable  institutions.  Congress  estab- 
lished an  asylum  for  the  deaf  and  dumb;  but  the 
State  did  not  establish  an  institution  for  any  of  her 
afflicted  classes  till  1840,  when  the  Blind  Asylum  was 
built  at  Louisville.  Dr.  Bell  and  Judge  Bullock  are 
the  only  members  left  of  the  first  Board  of  Trustees 
for  this  institution.  In  1846  William  Kendrick  be- 
came a  member  of  the  board  ;  for  a  number  of  years 
he  served  faithfully  and  efificiendy.  He  retired  for  a 
period,  but  in  1861  he  again  became  a  member  and 
served  until  his  death.  On  the  very  day  he  died  the 
Governor  sent  his  name  to  the  Senate,  and  that  body 
confirmed  his  nomination  as  trustee  for  four  more 
years.  Dr.  Bell  said  that  in  all  his  long  acquaintance 
with  Mr.  Kendrick  he  had  never  known  him  to  give 
his  support  to  any  measure  that  was  not  proper  and 
best.  It  is  nearly  forty-eight  years  since  he  first  knew 
Mr.  Kendrick,  and  in  all  that  time  he  felt  his  acquaint- 
ance a  blessing.  He  could  only  reiterate  what  had 
been  already  said  on  the  occasion.  Eulogy  might 
exhaust  itself,  but  it  could  not  exhaust  the  merits  of 


104 


APPENDIX. 


William  Kendrick.  He  rejoiced  to  know  that  among 
the  pleasures  of  the  life  to  come  would  be  the  society 
of  his  old  friend. 

Rev.  Dr.  Burrows  said  that  nearly  a  hundred  years 
ago,  John  Howard  had  inscribed  on  his  simple  tomb- 
stone the  words  "He  lived  for  others,"  and  that  it 
seemed  that  no  more  fitting  epitaph  could  be  written 
on  the  tomb  of  William  Kendrick.  His  character 
was  purely  unselfish,  and  his  life  was  devoted  to  the 
good  of  those  who  surrounded  him.  When  his  name 
is  forgotten  by  our  children's  children,  his  influence 
will  yet  be  felt  in  this  community.  Mr.  Kendrick 
was  one  of  that  rare  class  of  men  who  do  all  they 
undertake.  His  work  was  always  complete.  In  his 
family,  in  his  church  and  in  his  city  he  was  a  work- 
man that  is  rarely  seen.  Dr.  Burrows  concluded  by 
picturing  the  rejoicing  of  the  angels  over  the  per- 
fection and  consummation  of  the  angelic  character 
as  contrasted  with  the  sorrow  felt  in  this  world  at  the 
loss  of  such  a  man.  He  said  it  was  natural  to  mourn, 
but  that  it  would  be  more  in  keeping  with  the  occa- 
sion to  rejoice  in  the  man  made  perfect. 


That  was  a  noble  tribute  to  departed  worth  which 
was  paid  the  memory  of  William  Kendrick,  at  the 
Broadway  Tabernacle  yesterday  afternoon.  It  rose 
spontaneously  out  of  the  hearts  of  all  classes  of  the 
community.  In  commemorating  the  life  and  death 
of  one  whose  moral  worth  and  kindly  nature  reached 
the  dignity  of  true  genius,  sectarianisms  and  partisan- 


APPENDIX.  \o: 


ships  were  for  once  united;  and,  standing  near  his 
new-made  grave,  by-gone  bickerings  and  curreni  re- 
sentments were  forgotten.  For  this  was  a  man  of  the 
rarest  type.  As  apprentice,  as  journeyman,  as  mer- 
chant— as  a  Christian  and  as  a  citizen — in  prosperity 
and  in  bankruptcy — he  set  an  exhilarating  illustration 
of  fidelity,  of  pains-taking  handcraft,  of  conscienti- 
ous devotion  to  duty,  of  sturdy  integrity  and  cheer- 
ful courage,  which  the  world  sees  so  seldom  tliat 
cynics  doubt  the  sincerity  either  of  tlie  cliaracter  or 
the  description.  Mr.  Kendrick  never  had  an  enemy, 
or  a  quarrel,  or  a  law-suit.  He  was  as  transparent 
and  simple  as  a  child.  Yet  was  he  a  man  among 
men,  over-flowing  with  well-pointed  energy,  a  de- 
lightful combination  of  sagacity,  intrepidity,  purity  and 
common  sense.  The  young  as  well  as  the  old  will  feel 
his  loss,  and  his  memory,  like  a  perfume,  will  be  felt 
long  after  his  example,  with  his  name,  has  passed 
behind  the  shadow  of  the  generations  that  come  and 
go- 


[Louisville  Commercial,  March  23d,  1880.] 

The  memorial  service  held  at  the  Presbyterian 
Tabernacle,  on  the  corner  of  Fourth  and  Broadway 
streets,  last  Sunday,  in  honor  of  the  late  William 
Kendrick,  was  a  most  fitting  tribute  to  the  memory 
of  a  man  whose  friends  were  among  all  classes.  No 
citizen  of  Louisville  was  ever  more  honored  ;  and 
beautiful  tributes  were  spoken  by  Hon.  W.  F.  Bul- 
lock,  Rev.  Dr.  Craik,   Rev.   E.   P.  Humphrey,   Dr. 


I06  APPENDIX. 


T.  S.  Bell,  Rev.  J.  L.  Burrows,  and  many  others.  The 
many  noble  deeds  of  Mr.  Kendrick  during  the  pil- 
grimage of  life  are  known  best  to  the  hearts  of  those 
whom  he  had  loved  and  left. 


[Western  Recorder,    Baptist)  March  25th,  1880.] 

We  have  known  Mr.  Kendrick  for.  years,  and  we 
can  add  our  cheerful  tribute  to  the  rare  excellence  of 
his  character  and  life.  He  was  "the  Lord's  man" 
in  the  truest  and  best  sense.  He  made  every  one 
feel  that  he  was  a  Christian,  not  by  scriptural  phrase- 
ology or  an  affected  pietistic  tone,  but  by  a  certain 
indefinable  sweetness  and  light  that  shone  from  his 
face,  his  voice,  his  manner,  his  whole  daily  life.  He 
was  a  wise,  earnest,  vigorous  man,  in  doing  his  part 
of  this  world's  work.  Indeed  he  came  nearer  to 
being  an  embodiment  of  the  apostle's  ideal  than  any 
man  it  was  ever  our  privilege  to  know.  He  was 
"diligent  in  business,  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the 
Lord."  Much  of  this  was  probably  due  to  tempera- 
ment and  natural  disposition.  There  was  a  rounded 
fullness  and  evenness  of  contour  in  the  character  of 
the  man,  that  no  doubt  had  its  influence  in  deter- 
mining the  rare  perfection  of  his  Christian  life.  He 
himself,  however,  had  no  faith  in  his  own  natural 
goodness,  and  with  unaffected  humility  often  confes- 
sed with  tears  the  "exceeding  sinfulness"  of  his  own 
heart.  William  Kendrick's  whole  life  was  a  shining 
and  eloquent  sermon. 


APPENDIX.  107 


,      .  [Clark  County  Democrat,  March  24th,  1880.] 

William  Kendrick,  of  Louisville,  well  known  to 
many  of  our  readers,  died  suddenly  last  night  was  a 
week  ago.  Although  only  a  quiet,  unassuming,  un- 
ambitious private  citizen,  the  honors  paid  to  his  mem- 
ory were  remarkable.  ■  His  life  was  an  open  epistle 
read  of  all  men,  and  exemplified  what  a  christian 
should  be.  In  Louisville,  where  his  life  was  spent, 
he  was  frecjuently  called  the  -'thirteenth  apostle," 
and  never  in  derision. 


[Union  Local,  March  20,  1880.] 

William  Kendrick,  the  well  known  Louisville  jew- 
eler, died  very  suddenly  last  Tuesday  night.  There 
will  be  a  wide  spread  feeling  of  deep  regret  at  the 
death  of  this  good  man.  The  State  had  no  \vorthier 
citizen  than  he,  and  the  business  community,  none 
more  honorable. 


[Nashville  Christian  Advocate,  March  27th,  1880. J 

With  profound  sorrow  we  record  the  death  of  Mr. 
William  Kendrick,  of  Louisville,  who  died  suddenly 
on  Tuesday  evening,  March  i6th.  A  pillar  has  in- 
deed fallen.  No  layman  in  Southern  Methodism 
better  illustrated  the  noblest  elements  of  Christian 
character.  No  man  was  more  beloved  in  Louisville. 
Our  readers  may  expect  a  suitable  memoir. 


I  have  been  greatly  shocked  by  the  reception  of  a 
telegram  announcing  the  sudden  death  of  Brother 
Wm.    Kendrick,   of  Louisville,   Ky.      It  is  not  my 


I08  APPENDIX. 


purpose  in  this  brief  notice  to  anticipate  the  obituary 
which  his  excellent  pastor  will  be  sure  to  send  you. 
As  the  old  pastor  of  Brother  Kendrick,  I  desire  to 
express  my  appreciation  of  his  high  character,  and 
my  deep  sense  of  the  great  loss  which  the  Church 
sustains  in  his  death. 

Brother  Kendrick  was  a  model  man.  He  was  the 
soul  of  honor,  and  the  embodiment  of  truth.  He 
possessed  high  social  qualities,  and  entertained  with 
a  most  generous  hospitality.  He  was  a  man  of  in- 
domitable energy  and  great  business  qualifications. 
He  was  public-spirited,  and  his  benevolence  had  a 
wide  range.  All  the  great  charities  of  the  city  se- 
cured his  sympathies  and  received  his  hearty  support. 
To  the  poor  he  was  ever  a  friend,  and  to  the  sorrow- 
ing he  was  always  a  good  angel.  I  have  been  with 
him  at  the  jail,  at  the  House  of  Refuge,  and  at  the 
Orphans'  Home,  and  at  all  these  places  he  exhibited 
the  loving  spirit  of  a  John,  as  full  of  sympathy  as  he 
was  abundant  in  charity.  I  have  often  gone  into  his 
class-room  that  I  might  be  benefited  by  his  wise 
counsels  and  his  rich  and  deep  Christian  experience. 
He  was  the  best  of  class-leaders,  and  the  wisest  and 
noblest  of  stewards.  He  was  gifted  in  prayer,  de- 
lighted in  song,  and  rejoiced  in  hearing  the  religious 
experience  of  others. 

While  pastor  of  the  Chestnut-street  Church  I  was 
brought  near  to  death  by  a  dangerous  sickness ;  his 
prayers  at  my  bed-side,  so  full  of  the  spirit  of  the 
Master,  fell  upon  my  ear  and  upon  my  heart  as  though 


APPENDIX.  1 09 


indited  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  He  believed  in  holiness 
of  heart,  and  felt  that  the  blood  of  Christ  cleanseth 
from  all  sin.  He  was  always  ready  for  every  good 
word  and  work.  His  faults  were  the  fewest,  and  liis 
virtues  the  highest.  The  whole  Church  in  Louisville 
feels  the  death  of  Brother  Kendrick  as  a  universal 
calamity.  He  visited  more  sick  people,  and  assisted 
at  more  funerals  than  any  man  I  have  ever  known. 
He  was  a  universal  favorite,  and,  as  one  of  his  fellow- 
members  said  to  me,  "  everybody  that  is  sick  wants 
Brother  Kendrick's  prayers."  A  gentleman  of  ele- 
gant and  refined  manners,  he  always  made  himself 
agreeable.  An  active  man  of  business,  he  won  the 
respect  of  the  best  business  men.  A  catholic  Chris- 
tian, he  was  welcomed  at  the  altars  of  the  various 
Protestant  Churches.  A  decided  and  thorough 
Methodist,  he  was  looked  to  by  all  Louisville,  and 
by  a  large  portion  of  Kentucky,  as  a  great  represen- 
tative layman,  worthy  of  the  confidence,  respect,  and 
love  of  the  whole  Church.  Li  his  own  dear  family 
his  character  shone  with  its  mildest  and  purest  light. 
He  was  the  best  and  most  devoted  of  husbands,  and 
to  his  dear,  invalid  wife  I  tender  the  deepest  sympa- 
thies of  an  old  pastor's  loving  heart.  He  v/as  a 
father  almost  without  a  fault,  and  to  his  sons  and 
daughters  his  good  name  must  ever  be  as  ointment 
poured  forth.  May  God  bless  them  in  this  sad,  sad 
hour!  He  was  one  of  the  oldest  members  of  the 
Chestnut-street  Church,  and  had  the  love  and  respect 
of  both  old  and  young.      I  pray  God  that  his  mantle 


1  lo  APPENDIX. 


may  fall  upon  some  one  worthy  to  bear  it.  Except 
his  own  excellent  family,  none  will  feel  his  loss  more 
than  the  pastor.  His  bereavement  is  great.  May 
God  temper  this  sorrowful  affliction  to  both  pastor 

and  flock. 

R.   H.   Rivers. 
Eufaula,  Ala.,  March  i8,  1880. 


[The  Central  Methodist,  March  27th,  1880.] 

William  Kendrick,  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Methodist  Church  for  more  than  forty  years,  died 
suddenly  at  his  home  in  Louisville,  Kentucky,  on 
the  evening  of  the  i6th  inst.  At  dark  he  was  in 
good  health,  and  died  at  ten  minutes  past  ten  o'clock. 
He  was  a  true  Christian  and  noble  man. 


The  busy  telegraph  has  just  brought  us  the  sad  in- 
telligence that  William  Kendrick,  of  Louisville,  Ken- 
tucky, has  gone  home.  We  do  not  propose  an 
obituary;  that  will  be  furnished  by  other  hands;  but 
simply  to  drop  a  tear  to  his  memory  and  a  sprig  of 
Cassia  on  his  grave.  We  knew  him  for  many  long 
years,  part  of  the  time  as  his  pastor ;  have  seen  him 
tried  in  the  clouds  of  adversity  and  sorrow  and  in 
the  sunshine  and  joy  of  prosperity,  and  we  have 
never  known  a  truer,  better  man.  No  name  was 
more  widely  known  and  respected  in  the  Mississippi 
valley,  in  the  circles  of  trade,  the  firesides  of  friend- 
ship, the  associations  of  benevolence,  or  among  the 
followers  of  Christ. 


APPENDIX.  I  I  I 


His  character  had  one  marked  feature,  which  lifted 
itself  like  a  lofty  peak  in  a  mountain  range — it  was 
his  goodness — admired  by  man  and  honored  by  Ciod. 
In  all  the  relations  of  life  he  has  left  the  impress  of 
his  character  and  the  fragrance  of  a  good  name.  In 
his  history  we  see  the  power  of  personal  purity,  the 
goodness  and  gentleness  of  divine  grace.  When  a 
poor  orphan  boy,  our  noble  church  took  him,  educa- 
ted him  in  her  training  schools — Sunday  schools  and 
class  meeting — and  gave  to  his  religious  character  its 
manhood  and  its  maturity.  Well  did  ''  our  fathers" 
know  how  to  gather  and  to  polish  Christ's  jewels — ti*e 
ornaments  of  his  glory  crown.  His  piety  was  of  the 
strictest  sort,  plain,  earnest,  loving,  decided,  practi- 
cal, faithful.  He  was  a  thorough  Methodist,  and  a 
most  liberal  Christian.  His  church  and  his  religion 
were  always  first  in  his  love,  first  in  his  practical  at- 
tention. Whoever  failed  to  be  present  at  prayer 
meeting,  or  class  meeting,  or  at  church,  Kendrick 
was  there,  if  within  the  possibilities.  No  witness  for 
Christ  ever  bore  more  ready,  modest,  grateful,  deci- 
ded testimony  to  the  excellence  of  "the  power  of 
godliness." 

When  his  pastor  we  hardly  thought  our  meetings 
complete  without  his  presence,  his  mellow  voice  in 
praise,  or  his  earnest,  tearful  language  in  prayer.  It 
was  a  pleasure  to  preach  the  peculiar  doctrines  of  our 
church  before  him — especially  "regeneration,"  the 
witness  of  the  Spirit,  and  "  adoption."  His  heart 
flashed  out  through  his  joy-lit  face,  or  welled  over  in 


1  I  2  APPENDIX. 


the  falling  tear  or  the  subdued  "amen  "  responsive 
to  the  truth.  He  loved  to  hear  Christian  experience 
preached,  for  he  enjoyed  it  as  a  familiar  friend — he 
loved  to  hear  of  heaven,  for  he  was  on  his  way. 

William  Kendrick's  hospitable  home — it  was  one 
of  the  institutions  of  Louisville  shared  by  his  inti- 
mate friends,  the  preachers  of  all  the  different  church- 
es, the  passing  stranger.  It  was  a  home  adorned  by 
genuine  piety,  and  enriched  by  a  generous  Christian 
hospitality. 

Louisville  has  lost  one  of  her  most  enterprising, 
reliable,  and  honored  citizens,  but  what  shall  we  say 
of  the  loss  sustained  by  Methodism — and  especially 
by  his  own  loved  Chestnut-street  church  ?  It  is  a 
loss  in  every  regard,  in  man  and  means;  in  the  living 
presence  of  the  living  Christian  and  in  the  power  of 
his  living  Christianity.  The  preacher  has  lost  his 
steady,  true  friend  and  adviser,  and  reliable  support. 
The  church  mourns  a  model  member  and  official 
servant.  What  is  now  an  official  meeting  without 
William  Kendrick?  The  prayer  meeting  is  in  sack 
cloth.  The  class  room  waits  in  vain  for  the  coming  of 
the  leader.  "The  Master  had  need  of  him."  The 
great  congregation  miss  the  genial  fiice  and  gentle 
presence,  as  the  weekly  public  offerings  are  collected. 
The  poor  miss  him  as  one  of  their  best  and  tried 
friends. 

His  smitten  family — the  bereaved  widow,  the  fath- 
erless ones — but  we  will  not  intrude  on  their  sacred 
grief.      Mav    God    soothe    their   sorrowing   hearts. 


APPENDIX.  I  I  3 


They  were  rich  in  his  life,  but  richer  in  his  death, 
the  inheritance  of  his  worth,  better  than  gold,  and 
in  the  dear  hopes  of  speedy  re-unions  in  heaven. 
"God  buries  his  workmen,  but  carries  on  his  work." 

Brooksville,  Ky.  W.  H.  Anderson. 


RESOLUTIONS    OF    THE    NEW    YORK    JEWELERS. 

Set  in  an  elegant  frame,  and  forwarded  to  Louis- 
ville, to  be  permanently  placed  in  the  Kendrick  bus- 
iness house. 

DIED. 

At  Louisville,  Ky. ,   March,    i6th,  1880, 

W^^     KENDRICK. 

The  sad  tidings  of  his  death  having  reached  his 
friends  in  ..„,„  ,„,„,.  ^,„,, 

NEW     YORK    CITY, 

We,  the  undersigned,  representatives  of  our  re- 
spective houses,  deem  it  fitting  and  requisite  in  con- 
sequence of  our  past  relations  with  J/r.  Kendrick,  and 
in  view  of  his  long  and  prominent  connection  with 
\hQ  Jeiuelry  Business,  in  some  united  ?nanner  io  evince 
the  high  regard  we  held  for  him  during  his  life,  as  well 
as  to  manifest  our  deep  sorroiv  at  his  death,  so 
unexpected. 

Therefore  Resolved,  That  we  bear  jnost  willing  testi- 
mony to  the  integrity  of  his  whole  business  life,  to  the 
uniform  gentleness  of  his  conduct,  and  to  his  urbanity  of 
manfier,  qualities  which  have  made  it  a  pleasure  to  us 
all,  from  the  youngest  to  the  oldest,  to  meet  hiin 
socially  and  to  transact  business  with  him. 


114 


APPENDIX. 


Resolved,  That  among  the  whole  circle  of  our  wide- 
ly extended  trade  we  have  known  no  man  who  better 
deserved,  or  who  has  more  fully  enjoyed  the  confi- 
dence and  affection,  even,  of  his  business  friends. 

Resolved,  That  we  desire  to  unite  with  the  more  im- 
mediate relatives  of  the  deceased  in  sorroiv  for  present 
great  bereavonent m\di.  that  we  most  respectfully  tender  to 
Xvi'i  family  our  sincere  sympathy  in  their  loss,  at  the  same 
time  deeply  realizing  that  while  they  have  been  de- 
prived of  an  affectionate  husband  and  father  we  have 
also  lost  a  universally  acknowledged  friend. 
New  York,   March  27th,  18S0. 

Geo.  Nelson  Fenn.  Frank  H.  Carpenter. 

Court.  E.  Hastings.         Frank  E.  Knight. 

John  D.  Lyon.  W.  A.  Bryant. 

S.  Y.  D.  Arrowsmith.       S.  W.  Pickering. 

M.  L.  BowDEN.  Chas.  E.  Dorr. 

C.  W.  Buechner.  Geo.  Smith  Rice. 

J.  W.  Watson.  Geo.  A.  Lawrence. 

Thos.  H.  B.  Davis.  W.  P.  Melcher. 

F.  S.  Gorton.  W.  F.  Cory. 

Philo  W.  Scofield.  A.  L.  Peck. 

Geo.  W.  Shiebler.  Harry  Osborne. 

C.  L.  White.  Henry  E.  Ide. 

H.  Howard.  James  C.  Rich. 

RoBT.  M.  Wilcox.  J.  F.  Crane. 

Chas.  D.  Kent.  D.  L.  Kennedy,  Jr. 

S.  H.  Hale.  G.  E.  Luther. 


[The  Jewelers'  Circular  and  Horological  Review.] 

William  Kendrick,  a  well  known  jeweler  of  Louis- 
ville, Ky.,  died  March    16,   in   the  70th  year  of  his 


APPENDIX.  I  I  5 


age.  Mr.  Kendrick  was  born  in  Patterson,  N.  J-, 
but  located  at  Louisville  when  about  twelve  years  of 
age.  He  became  identified  with  the  jewelry  interest, 
and  was  a  large  buyer  in  this  and  other  eastern  cities. 
At  one  time  he  became  embarrassed  in  business,  and 
was  forced  to  go  into  bankruptcy.  He  subsequently 
re-established  himself  in  business,  was  prosperous,  and 
voluntarily  paid  off  all  his  former  indebtedness,  from 
which  a  discharge  in  bankruptcy  had  relieved  him. 
Mr.  Kendrick  occupied  a  high  social  position,  and 
had  filled  various  public  offices  with  honor  to  himself 
and  credit  to  his  adopted  state.  He  was  beloved  for 
his  many  charitable  bequests,  and  for  his  high  and 
honorable  personal  character.  His  death  was  sincere- 
ly lamented  by  the  entire  community,  of  which  he 
was  a  distinguished  ornament. 


Mr.  Kendrick's  death  was  lamented  and  his  char- 
acter eulogized  in  an  address  by  our  most  eloquent 
temperance  orator,  Mr.  George  W.  Bain.  Also  in  a 
speech  in  a  case  before  the  Fleming  Circuit  Court, 
by  Mr.  L.  W.  Andrews,  one  of  Kentucky's  oldest 
and  most  eminent  jurists. 

All  over  Kentucky,  and  in  other  States  of  the 
Union,  deep  feeling  was  expressed  by  all  classes  of 
our  best  citizens;  but  we  have  not  space  for  half  of 
what  has  been  so  well  spoken  or  written.  Still  the 
following  lines  by  a  well  known  Railroad  official  must 
not  be  omitted. 


1  1 6  APPENDIX. 


[Courier- Journal.  J 
WILLIAM   KENDRICK. 


The  angels  have  hushed  their  songs  of  praise, 

The  river  its  rippling  laugh, 
And  those  by  the  Throne  with  goblets  raised 

The  nectar  refuse  to  quaff. 

All  heaven  is  still  ;   e'en  the  perfumed  air 

Does  not  ruffle  the  golden  stream, 
And  the  flowers  that  grow  on  its  margin  fair 

With  additional  beauty  beam. 

For  the  warrior  is  crossing  the  stream  so  cold, 

The  stream  that  they  all  have  crossed, 
And  they  know  it  requires  a  Christian  bold 

To  stem  it — so  tempest-tossed. 

But  he  walks  erect  with  his  peerless  Guide 

That  he's  known  by  faith  for  years 
Would,  thro'  the  dark  river,  be  by  his  side 

To  quiet  all  doubts  and  fears 

As  he  steps  from  the  wave  on  the  golden  sand 
That  adorns  Heaven's  beautiful  shore, 

A  chorus  of  angels,  a  numbeidess  band. 
Receive  him  to  dwell  evermore. 

Then  the  harps  are   all  strung   to  anthems  of  praise 
For  the  gift  of  our  Saviour — His  Son — 

And  it's  wafted  through  Heaven,  in  beautiful  lays, 
That  a  warrior  his  crown  has  won. 

C.    p.    A. 


APPENDIX.  I  1  7 


Nor  these  from  Mrs.    Dr.   Dougherty,  of  Jackson- 
ville,  Illinois: 

[Courier- Journal.] 

IN   MEMORIAM. 

Died — March  i6,  Wm.  Kenukick. 


Gone — perished  from  our  mortal  siglit, 

Within  a  moment's  space: 
A  mighty  man— a  tower  of  strength 

With  none  to  fill  his  )>lace. 
Stunned  with  the  blow,  Oh  miglity  God  ! 

Beneath  thy  hand  we  lie— 
Unmembered,  broken,  bleeding  hearts, 

Nor  dare  to  question  why. 

Thou  art  almighty — yet  thy  love 

Is  boundless  as  thy  might  ; 
Oh  hide  us  'neath  that  sheltering  love 

Who  cry  to  thee  to-night. 
We  know  thy  hand  in  love  was  laid 

Upon  his  reverend  head, 
And  yet  our  hearts  refuse  to  own 

Aught  else  but — he  is  dead  ! 

His  holy  life — ^reflecting  thine — 

Is  ended  here  below  ; 
Alas!  alas!  that  blinding  tears 

Shut  out  Heaven's  richer  glow  : 
We  recognize  thy  right  to  him 

Who  made  his  life  so  fair  ; 
And  yet  our  selfish  hearts  exclaim 

"Too  much  for  earth  to  spare." 

Oh  lift  us  up  with  thy  strong  arm 

To  where  our  faith  may  see 
The  narrow  space   between  our  souls 

And  ail  we  need  in  Thee. 
Then  let  the  radiance  from  his  life 

As  lived  out  day  by  day, 
Stream  backward  o'er  each  stricken  heart 

And  show  our  feet  the  way. 

Jacksonville,  111.  L.  c.  s.  D. 


I  I  8  APPENDIX. 


Nor  these  copied  by  an  unknown  friend : 

[Courier- Journal.] 
FOR  DEAR   MRS.    KENDRICK. 

I  copy  these  sweet  lines  for  her  comfort. 

T.   S.   .     .     .   D. 

He  hath  fallen  asleep.     It  is  well. 

He  hath  thus  laid  his  life  burden  down. 
Long  years  did  he  bear  the  stern  cross, 

But  it  Jilted  his  droiv  for  the  crown. 
He  may  have  forgotten  e'en  now, 

That  ever  earth  taught  him  to  weep. 
Let  us  say,  while  in  sorrow  we  bow, 

It  is  We'll.      He  hath  fallen  asleep. 

He  hath  fallen  asleep.      Fold  the  hands 
O'er  the  7neek  heart  so  pulseless  and  still  ; 

He  hath  gone  to  his  Father  and  ours. 
The  7-est  which  He  gives  His  beloved 

Is  his,  untroubled  and  deep. 
And  because  we  loved  Iwn  we  say 

It  is  well.     He  hath  fallen  asleep. 

He  hath  fallen  asleep.     It  is  well. 

He  will  not  be  weary  again. 
We  will  lie  down  beside  him  ere  long  ; 

Then  why  should  our  weak  faith  complain  ; 
We  shall  claim,  on  the  morn  of  our  rising, 

Victory  palms  which  the  seraphim  keep. 
Oh,  what  glory  will  crown  the  beloved 

In  Christ  who  have  fallen  asleep  ! 

'  'Servant  of  God,  well  done  ! 

Thy  glorious  warfare's  past ; 
The  battle  fought  the  victory  won. 

And  thou  art  crowned  at  last." 


APPENDIX.  I  I  9 


Nor  these  from  the  Woman  at  Work : 

[Woman  at  Work.] 
ACROSTICAL  TRIBUTE. 


15Y    C.    .S.    L.    MATTHEWS. 

Toll  the  bells  gently,  softly  and  slow, 

O'er  the  remains  of  the  honored  dead  ; 

Weary  of  life,  freed  from  earthly  woe. 

In  a  last,  long  sleep,  rest  thy  j)eaceful  bed. 

Lowly  in  heart,  ever  kindly  in  deed. 

Lovingly  ministering  to  all  in  need  ; 

In  life  thou  wert  blameless,  beloved  by  all. 

Around  thy  green  grave,  our  l)itter  tears  fall  I 

Mercy,  justice  and  honor  did  with  thee  abide! 

Kindness  of  manner  to  each  friend  at  thy  side — 
E'er  proved  thy  love,  that  no  fear  possessed  ! 
None  knew  thee,  but  richly  in  knowing  were  blessed  I 
Deplore  we  our  loss,  O,  when  brave  soldiers  fall. 
Rests  the  banner  they  held  ?  who  can  answer  the  call  ? 
In  wisdom  God  gave  us  the  years  that  are  flown, 
Christ,  that  he  loved,  has  taken  His  own  ; 
"  Kings  and  Princes  "  of  grace  encircle  His  throne. 


Nor  can  we  exclude  the  following  extracts  from 
lengthy  papers  prepared  by  those  who  knew  him 
longest,  and  were  most  intimately  associated  with 
him  in  benevolent  efforts  and  christian  fellowship : 

EXTRACT     FROM     PROCEEDINGS 

Of  a  Joint  Meeting  of  the  Board  of  Education,  and 
the  Managers  of  the  Widow's  and  Orphans'  Home: 

Brother  Kendrick's  connection  with  these  Christian 
enterprises  has  been  a  constant  testimony  to  his  wis- 
dom, his  untiring  industry,  and  his   consecrated  de- 


I  20  APPENDIX. 

votion  to  the  sacred  cause  of  education,  and  the  care 
of  the  widow  and  the  fatherless.  In  all  these 
elements  he  has  been  conspicuous,  and  did  we  not 
know  that  God  has  done  this  thing  our  hearts  would 
be  faint.  We  thank  the  God  of  all  wisdom,  the 
friend  of  the  widow  and  the  orphan,  for  these  faith- 
ful services  so  long  given  by  his  blessing. 

Our  sorrow  at  this  bereavement  we  cannot  express. 
We  record  on  this  page  that  we  are  sad,  but  how  sad 
we  are  God  and  our  own  hearts  only  can  know.  It 
cannot  be  expressed  in  words.  It  cannot  be  appre- 
ciated even  by  us,  except  through  the  years  as  we 
shall  meet  together  and  miss  his  cheerful  face,  his 
inspiring  spirit,  his  patient  labors,  and  his  steadfast 
faith  in  God. 

FROM  OBITUARY  NOTICE,  BY  REV.  GEORGE  W.  BRUSH. 

Punctuality  was  cardinal  in  all  his  transactions. 
He  followed  up  closely  his  calling.  He  used  econ- 
omy, generosity,  labor  and  vigilance.  He  took  note 
of  time.  I  never  knew  him  to  be  one  minute  late. 
His  residence  was  several  squares  from  his  shop  and 
his  church,  yet  he  was  always  on  time  at  both.  So 
accurate  was  he  in  the  use  of  time  that  he  knew  with 
wonderful  exactness  the  number  of  minutes  required 
to  walk  a  square  or  the  number  of  hours  required 
to  complete  a  job.  This  practical  "  note  of  time  " 
was  kept  by  him  in  all  the  affairs  of  life.  He  nota- 
bly attended  funerals  among  all  classes,  and,  though 
the  custom  is  too  much  to  be  behind  time,  he  was 
never  late,  but  there  to  weep  or  to  help. 


APPENDIX.  1  2  I 


We  knew  him  at  a  period  in  the  history  of  his 
life  when  he  ate  bread  in  the  sweat  of  his  face ; 
even  then  he  was  at  the  burial  of  his  friend,  or  listen- 
ing to  the  sermon  of  the  presiding  elder  on  quarterly- 
meeting  Saturday.  For  very  many  years  he  met  a 
Sunday-morning  class,  composed  largely  of  elderly 
ladies  and  widows;  he  lived  to  see  most  of  them 
safely  off  to  that  better  country.  When  a  little  while 
before  the  time  of  preaching  to  begin,  he  with  his 
class  would  slowly  walk  into  tlie  preaching-room, 
their  faces  aglow  with  revived  prospects,  it  seemed  as 
a  fresh  call  to  the  minister.  He  was  never  a  fault- 
finder, but  a  peace-maker.  He  didn't  argue  the 
brethren  into  peace,  but  peace  affected  all  who  were 
near  him.  He  was  not  a  man  of  much  demonstra- 
tion, yet  the  glow  of  his  heart  seemed  to  be  kept  up 
by  that  fire  that  never  went  out  from  the  hearth  of 
the  old  temple.  He  was  gifted  in  prayer,  sung  read- 
ily, and  in  a  frame  that  said,  "  Let  every  thing  that 
hath  breath  praise  the  Lord."  A  successful  and  con- 
stant visitor  of  the  sick,  he  went  far  beyond  the 
bounds  of  his  own  communion,  and  when  an  old  ex- 
perience had  fallen  into  decay,  Carvosso-like  under 
God  he  became  a  messenger  of  consolation. 


HIS  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER  AND  CHURCH  WORK. 

From  a  paper  read  by  his  pastor,  Rev.  J.  C.  Morris, 
at  a  meeting  of  the  officers  of  the  Chestnut-street 
Methodist  Church. 


I  2  2  APPENDIX. 

This  love  for  the  church  he  manifested,  ist,  By 
his  faithful  attendance  upon  her  services.  He  took 
an  interest  in  every  part  of  the  church's  worship. 
Hie  was  interested  in  all  her  work.  He  was  at  the 
public  services  on  Sabbath  in  the  morning,  and  was 
not  less  faithful  in  the  evening.  He  was  in  his  place 
at  the  meetings  of  the  Official  Board  and  Quarterly 
Conference.  He  attended  the  prayer-meetings,  Wed- 
nesday evenings  at  the  church,  Friday  evening  at  the 
homes,  the  Christmas  morning  hour  of  prayer,  and 
any  other  services  that  the  church  might  appoint. 
When  an  effort  was  made  to  organize  a  young  people's 
meeting,  he  was  one  of  the  most  interested  attendants 
upon  all  the  services  held  for  them.  He  was  at  the 
Quarterly  meeting  on  Saturday  morning,  at  the  Love 
feast ;  and  during  a  protracted  meeting  he  was  a  part 
of  the  congregation  from  the  beginning  to  the  close 
through  all  the  weeks ;  and  in  addition  to  all  this,  he 
found  time  to  visit  the  other  churches  occasionally. 
His  attendance  upon  the  sanctuary  was  not  a  question 
of  feeling,  or  convenience,  or  weather,  or  time.  It 
was  his  religious  principle  to  be  found  in  the  house 
of  God,  and  he  compelled  everything  to  yield  to 
that.  He  was  as  sure  to  be  in  his  place  when  his 
pastor  preached,  as  if  Bishop  Marvin,  or  any  other 
great  light  of  the  church  were  to  be  there. 

2d,  He  showed  his  devotion  to  the  church  by  his 
liberal  support  of  the  church's  institutions.  He  did 
not  offer  burnt  offerings  unto  the  Lord  of  that  which 
cost  him  nothing.     God  blessed  Bro.   Kendrick  with 


APPENDIX.  123 


success  in  his  business,  and  he  returned  unto  God 
who  gave  it  the  first  fruits  of  all.  He  was  intimately 
connected  with  all  the  church's  Work,  and  he  knew 
what  she  needed.  No  one  knew  much  of  what  he  was 
doing  in  this  respect.  There  was  no  display  made 
of  it;  yet,  we  know  that  he  did  much.  He  gave 
freely  to  every  claim  that  was  presented. 

He  had  no  favorites  which  he  supported  to 
the  neglect  of  others.  For  the  support  of  the  min- 
istry, for  the  current  expenses  of  the  church,  for 
her  unusual  demands,  for  the  cause  of  missions, 
for  the  widows  and  orphans,  for  the  Bishops, 
he  gave  as  God  had  prospered  him.  This  house 
witnesses  to  his  liberal  gifts.  The  church  had  no 
enterprises  v/hich  he  did  not  patronize.  This 
characteristic  was  specially  manifest  in  the  deep  in- 
terest he  took  in  the  matter  of  a  parsonage  for  this 
church.  At  the  last  session  of  the  Quarterly  Con- 
ference, a  committee  was  appointed  to  digest  a  plan 
for  securing  such  a  house.  His  heart  was  deeply 
interested  to  see  the  enterprise  succeed,  and  more 
than  once  he  spoke  to  Bro.  Morton  of  a  house  which  he 
had  thought  of  as  a  suitable  one,  and  of  his  purpose 
to  give  a  liberal  subscription  to   purchase  the  same. 

3d,  He  showed  his  love  for  the  church  by  his  many 
and  faithful  labors  for  her.  He  was  pre-eminently  a 
working  member  of  the  church.  He  worked  in  many 
places  and  he  worked  well  in  all.  There  was  no  part 
of  church  work  that  he  was  not  ready  to  do.  He  did  not 
consider  that  when  he  had  done  one  thing,  or  half  a 


1 24  APPENDIX. 


dozen  things,  he  was  for  this  exempt  from  doing  any- 
thing else  that  presented  itself  to  be  done.  He  was 
a  class  leader,  but  this  did  not  excuse  him  from  the 
work  of  the  stewardship.  He  was  class  leader  and 
steward,  but,  these  did  not  excuse  him  from  being 
treasurer  of  the  church  and  dispenser  of  her  alms. 
Nor  did  all  of  these  excuse  him  from  the  responsible 
and  onerous  duties  of  superintendent  of  the  Sunday- 
school.  And  in  addition  to  all  these  he  found  time 
to  visit  the  sick,  the  old  and  infirm  and  the  bereaved, 
to  speak  with  those  who  were  overtaken  in  a  fault 
that  he  might  restore  them,  and  to  do  abundant  work 
of  humanity  and  charity  without.  At  the  time  of  his 
death  he  held  many  places  of  trust  and  work  for  the 
church.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Edu- 
cation for  the  Conference,  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  for  the  Widows'  and  Orphans'  Home  for 
the  Church  in  the  State,  the  President  of  the  Metho- 
dist Sunday-school  Union  for  the  city,  and  a  Trustee, 
Steward,  Treasurer,  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday- 
school  for  Chestnut-street  Church.  In  each  and  all 
of  these  he  was  as  active  and  efficient  as  the  most 
active  and  efficient  of  all  the  men  with  whom  he  was 
associated.  He  sought  none  of  these  places.  The 
church  sought  him  always  for  the  places,  because 
she  knew  he  was  worthy,  and  because  he  did  the 
work  well. 

Well  might  the  church  drape  herself  and  her 
altars  in  mourning,  and  pour  out  a  tearful  lamenta- 
tion to  God  at  the  death  of  such  a  man. 


APPENDIX.  I  2  5 


As  to  Brother  Kendrick's  christian  experience,  I 
need  say  but  Httle.  You  knew  something  of  this. 
Through  a  Ufe-time  he  was  growing  in  grace  and  in 
the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Through 
these  years  he  beautifully  illustrated  the  power  of 
God  to  make  much  of  human  nature.  His  character 
was  a  rare  symmetrical  work  chiselled  by  the  hand  of 
a  master.  He  was  a  man  of  prayer.  Any  one  who 
looked  into  his  face  would  know  that  he  prayed.  He 
lived  and  talked  much  with  God,  and  was  never  at  a 
loss  to  lead  the  devotions  of  God's  people  anywhere. 
He  could  pray  beside  the  bed  of  the  sick,  in  the 
home  with  the  bereaved  and  sad,  at  the  altar  where 
there  were  mourning  penitents,  or  in  the  public  con- 
gregation.    He  had  access  to  God. 

He  was  a  man  of  faith — the  truest  and  most  stead- 
fast confidence  in  God.  His  faith  brought  peace 
and  quietness  of  soul.  I  have  thought  him  a  fit  il- 
lustration of  the  prophet's  words.  "Him  wilt  thou 
keep  in  perfect  peace,  whose  mind  is  stayed  on  Thee." 
It  was  the  peace  that  flowed  like  a  river.  Not  the 
fitful  spurting  of  a  wet  weather  spring,  but  the  calm, 
quiet  flow  of  the  great  "  Father  of  Waters." 

He  was  a  man  of  joy — a  happy  man,  one  whose 
religion  gave  him  sunshine  to  live  in.  He  had  made 
God  his  trust — he  lived  trusting  in  Christ,  and  he 
was  full  of  cheer.  Did  you  ever  see  him  when  he 
could  not  smile  ?  Did  you  ever  hear  him  talk  when 
he  did  not  see  some  light  about  him  ?  That  face 
never  lost  its  brightness.      He  smiled  all  through  the 


126  APPENDIX. 


cares  and  storms  of  life,  and  he  met  death  with  a 
smile.  Lying  in  the  grave  he  wore  on  his  face  the 
emblem  of  holy  victory,  as  if  already  he  had  cried, 
"  O  death,  where  is  thy  sting  !  O  grave,  where  is  thy 
victory !  " 


HIGHLY    ORNAMENTAL    INSCRIPTION 

On  the  record  of  Chestnut-street  Church.  K  copy 
of  which,  on  muslin,  was  presented  to  the  family. 

In  Memory  of 

WILLIAM    KENDRICK, 

Who  died  March   i6th,    1880.     Aged  70  years. 

He  filled  many  offices  in  this  church,  and  dis- 
charged their  duties  faithfully,  diligently  and  wisely. 
His  public  and  his  private  life  are  worthy  of  all 
praise.  He  lived  and  died  in  favor  with  God,  in 
peace  and  charity  with  man,  and  in  hope  of  life 
everlasting. 

To  the  memory  of  this  faithful  officer,  the  first 
among  us  whose  office  has  been  made  vacant  by 
death,  this  memorial  is  affectionately  inscribed. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 

This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


Form  L9 — 15m-10,'48  (B1039 ) 444 


CT 


Memoir  of  V/ill- 


275        iaifi  Kendrick. 
K35m  . 


UC  SOUT 


HEHN  REGIONAL  UBKAHr  hACIUTV 


CT 

275 

KSSm 


